APRIL - APRIL 8TH, 2011 MARCH1ST 25TH - APRIL 1ST, 2011
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volume 7 no. 13
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APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
A WOMAN CLAIMS her company Nikki Beach had her drugged and raped "for the purpose of currying favor with business partners and officials." Her rapist, she says, was Michael Misick, the former premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The woman, whose real name is being withheld, but who is referred to in court documents as Jane Doe, sued Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts, Penrod Management Group, and her former boss, Michael Penrod. Misick, though named throughout the complaint, is not named as a defendant. Misick was never charged with rape, after former Attorney General Kurt DeFreitas did a report on the case and sought outside legal opinions on the matter. continued on page 2
man arreSteD for making threatS at airport ...pg2 new commiSSioner wantS police pay reStoreD ...pg7 DaviD Smith pleaDS guilty to $220m in frauD chargeS ...pg 8
Renowned Bahamian and International preacher Apostle Raymond Wells was in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week to conduct a book signing exercise on his latest faith-building project. While on Providenciales, where he conducted the signing exercises, Apostle Wells hosted a one-night revival service at the Bishop Dr. C.A. Williams-led Abundant Life Ministries International, located along Leeward Highway. Here Apostle Wells (seated) can be seen signing copies of his books for adoring readers. In addition to the church, signing exercise was also done at the Graceway IGA Supermarket. Photo: Vivian Tyson
time Share Scam controverSy ...pg 9 &10
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LOCAL NEWS Continued from page 1
Rape victim sues Nikki Beach
Doe says: "Nikki Beach, through the various defendant corporations, operates hotels and nightclubs at beachside locations. Its marketing and business plans rely on the allure of sex." She claims Nikki Beach hired "attractive young women" and send them to "potential business partners and officials it wished to influence ... encouraging the consumption of alcohol and narcotics and providing the same, and thereby providing opportunities for potential business partners and officials whose approval they sought to sexually assault these women." Doe, a design consultant, says Nikki Beach sent her to the British Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands in late March 2008. She says Penrod, "a highranking executive" with Nikki Beach, ordered her to attend a "social function," there, and arranged for her transportation. She says she went against her wishes. She was taken to Misick's
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home, she says, where she "was given wine that, unknown to her, was infused with a narcotic." The complaint continues: "After she was in an altered state, her supervisor, who was present and was aware or should have been aware of the risk that Misick would assault her, knowingly and purposely abandoned her at the home of Misick in that altered state. ... "In the morning of March 28, 2007, Misick (allegedly) raped Jane Doe." The complaint adds: "In fact, Penrod and Nikki Beach regularly transported young, attractive women into such dangerous settings in order to improperly curry favor to the benefit of Nikki Beach. "Nikki Beach intentionally transported Jane Doe from MiamiDade County to a dangerous setting, with foreseeable and known dangers, and abandoned her there." Doe claims that "Nikki Beach sought to gain favor with Misick by presenting him with attractive young women in settings in which
he could take advantage of them." After she was raped, Doe says in the court document, she returned to her hotel, and returned as soon as possible to Florida, because a co-worker "told Jane Doe that he believed her life to be in danger due to the power that Misick exercised on the island." In Miami, Doe says, she went to a hospital and had a medical examination that concluded she had been raped. "When she arrived in South Florida, her corporate email account had been shut off, signaling her termination by Nikki Beach," the complaint states. "Penrod and Nikki Beach spread the story that she had been fired for misconduct." She claims she was a victim of a corporate practice: "Nikki Beach would allow management employees to encourage sexual encounters or inappropriate behavior between young female employees and business partners, officials and customers, and then turn and dismiss the female employees for the behavior, while encouraging the supervisors to repeat the pattern. Nikki Beach would allow these management employees to purposely endanger their young female staff." An attorney for the hotel, Steve Savola, called the lawsuit "totally frivolous," adding that the
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
claims were shot down in federal and police investigations. "Three years ago, the FBI and Turks and Caicos law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation into this matter and submitted their files to the Turks and Caicos attorney general who did not believe there was sufficient evidence to file charges," Savola said in a statement. "The story outlined by 'Jane Doe' in her lawsuit filed yesterday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court is pure fiction and utterly without merit.". Nikki Beach is headquartered in South Beach, Miami, and has beach club locations in eight countries, including France, Spain, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic. Savola said the hotel may countersue. Doe sued Nikki Beach Holdings LLC; Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts LLC; Nikki VIP LLC; Penrod Management Group Inc.; Penrod Management International LLC; and Michael Penrod. She seeks damages for defamation, negligence and endangerment. She is represented by John Thornton in Miami-Dade County Court. It is understood that Nikki Beach plans to counter-sue the woman.
MAN CHARGED WITH MAKING AIRPORT THREATS
A man of Indian descent who is said to have been a longtime resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands was charged on March 30 for making comments which threatened security at the Providenciales International Airport during an exchange between the two. He has been identified as Jatin Pekwani, but The SUN was not able to ascertain his address in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and his line of business. He was arrested under the Aviation Security and Piracy (Overseas Territories) Order. According to police reports at approximately 2:30 pm on Wednesday, members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, was summoned to the airport where it was said that a man made comments during an exchange with a security officer, which was deemed to have threatened the security and passengers of the airport. “The incident involved a comment made to a Security Officer which potentially threatened the security of the airport and the travelling public. A subsequent investigation was performed to ensure the safety and security of the airport. As well a male subject was arrested, questioned and subsequently processed. “The male subject has been granted Police Bail with a surety. The police investigation into this matter is still ongoing,” stated a report from media officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Sergeant Calvin Chase. According to the press officer, the police have taken a zero tolerance approach for such comments, and persons found to be in breach would not be spared the fullest extent of prosecution prescribed by the law governing such incidents. “The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Airport Authority take any comments that threaten the security of our Airports and the travelling public very seriously and will take the appropriate actions to ensure that these matters are investigated fully and persons responsible for matters of this nature are held accountable for their actions,” Sergeant Chase noted.
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LOCAL NEWS
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Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa defects to Britain
LOCAL NEWS
Moussa Koussa flew into Britain Thursday and told officials he was "no longer willing" to serve the regime, in a significant blow to the dictator. The move was welcomed in Whitehall where fears have been growing that poorly organised Libyan rebels cannot defeat Gaddafi without being given arms or training on the ground. "We encourage those around Gaddafi to abandon him and embrace a better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people," a Foreign Office spokesman said. David Cameron had earlier admitted that the Government was considering arming the rebels following talks in London with Libyan opposition leaders. Rebel forces were forced to retreat again and surrendered several towns in the face of heavy resistance from troops loyal to the regime.
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN’S LETTERS POLICY The Turks and Caicos SUN welcomes Letters to the Editor.
Letters containing libelous or defamatory charges, personal attacks or abusive language will not be considered for publication. We would prefer letters of 500 words or less, and we will not print anonymous letters or letters tagged with initials.
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All letters are subject to the final approval of the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, who reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit letters and headlines to meet our established standards for grammar, clarity and length.
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However, there are fears that any move to provide arms could lead to "mission creep", dragging Western ground forces into the civil war. It also emerged that: Five Libyan diplomats were expelled from Britain amid concern they could pose a threat to national security; Senior defence sources disclosed that British and American forces had destroyed more than 40 Libyan arms dumps and "chopped the legs off" Gaddafi's supply route; Uganda announced that it was prepared to offer the Libyan leader exile under an Italian plan to remove him; The UN or EU may ultimately have to send a humanitarian force to help civilians in rebel–held areas. The British and other governments are increasingly worried that rebel troops will not be able to advance on Tripoli or other Libyan cities without external help. Mr Koussa's defection holds out hope that the regime might still crack from the inside, relieving the pressure for further military measures. Mr Koussa flew from Tunisia, where he had been on a diplomatic mission, to Farnborough airport before being shuttled to London for immediate talks with high–ranking Foreign Office officials. A close confidant of Gaddafi for 30 years, he was linked by intelligence sources to the Lockerbie bombing and played a lead role in securing the release of the bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al–Megrahi. Yesterday, senior defence officials said there was "more to do" to prevent further loss of civilian lives but reiterated that no British ground troops would be used. A chaotic picture emerged on the ground where the Gaddafi regime ambushed rebels outside the leader's home town of Sirte, precipitating a disorderly retreat as far as Ajdabiyah.
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Distribution Manger: Kelano Howell Advertising and Marketing ManagerPatrina Moore-Pierre
The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd.
We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Profile Regime's chief fingernail puller' Moussa Koussa, 61, took a sociology degree at Michigan State University. He was appointed ambassador to Britain in 1980 but expelled for threatening to kill opponents. He was accused of organising terrorism on his return to Libya where he headed the Libyan spy agency from 1994 and was described by a senior figure in George W Bush's administration as "chief fingernail puller". He has been named as the possible architect of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, but brokered Libya's promise to give up weapons of mass destruction in 2003 and was made foreign minister in 2009.
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Police could get their 10 percent pay-cut restored
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor
IF NEW COMMISSIONER of Police Colin Farquhar has his way, members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force could see the ten percent that was yanked from their salary as part of government economic austerity measure reinstated. The commissioner, responding to reporters’ questions on Thursday, March 31, during a press conference at the Chalk Sound Police Station in Providenciales, revealed that he has been lobbying the authorities for a raft of measures that would make the lives of the men and women in the service a lot easier, which includes the reinstatement of the ten percent that was deducted from their salary a year ago, as part of Government cost-cutting measures in the civil service. Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar The new police commissioner noted when police personnel do not have to fret on how they job, but also cut corruption within the force. “It (reinstatement of the ten percent) is one of would meet their bill obligations while on the job; no only would it make them more effective on the the areas that we are looking at (to see) if we can get the ten percent cut back again. I think it is important that to salary police; it is an area through-out the world that is always problematic, and if police officers are not paid enough, it could lead to corruption, it could lead to some areas like that. “It is an area of concern, so we have to make sure that our people are properly paid. Pay and allowances are areas that we are going to be looking at,” Commissioner Farquar said. In the meantime, Deputy Commissioner of Police Brad Sullivan said morale in the force has not been affected from recent events, including the change of the force’s top brass. He also stated that none of his charges participated in last week’s civil service sickout.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Brad Sullivan
“To our knowledge no one participated in the sick-out – that’s to our knowledge,” Sullivan said. “We had our full complement of officers on, and they did not participate. Morale-wise, I have not seen or heard of any issues in that area with us coming in. “The officers that we have dealt with – and we have dealt with lots of them – are supportive of us, as is the community. Everybody is very friendly. They understand why we are here, we may, hopefully, win over the ones that may doubt why we are here, a little bit. We have been treated very well, and the morale of the organization is very good,” Turning to the issue of proper deployment and visibility of uniformed police officers, Sullivan explained that officers are always on the streets and in key areas, but may be readily visible to the discerning citizen due to some of them not wearing uniforms. According to the two top cops, the matter of uniform in the force or the lack thereof was another of the many broken down areas that they will be seeking to address. “Uniform and equipment is a major project that we have an officer assigned to right now,” Commissioner Farquar noted. “One of the reasons I am not in a uniform right now is that, my uniform has to be made. The other thing is we don’t have hats. There are two hats in stock and both of them are too large (for my head). There has to be a better system of acquiring uniform.” The commissioner added: “You look at a uniform, and if it is worn out and tattered, it should be replaced. There are two hundred and fifty police officers (in the force); they should get two pairs of pants per year minimum – that’s five hundred pair of pants, plus you need stock – that’s about a thousand pairs of pants that we should have in stock, but right now we don’t have that. “Everybody should have five uniform shirts; two hundred and fifty times five shirts is a lot of shirts. We need to develop a good tendering system, acquire the stock and have it available, because if an officer rips his pants, he or she should be able to get another pair right away.” The two said the two years that they would spend here will be used to tackle all those ills and ensure that policing across the country is effective to a T.
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David Smith pleads guilty in Florida
LOCAL NEWS
Former head of the failed Olint investment scheme, David Smith, who was sentenced for scamming unsuspecting depositors in the Turks and Caicos Islands and thousands others in Jamaican, the wider Caribbean and Florida through his Ponzi scheme, pleaded guilty in a Florida federal court on Tuesday, March 29. The conman investor was said to have entered a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Orlando, Florida that would spare his wife, Tracy from any charges. Smith entered into similar plea in the TCI, where he was given a six year sentence. He pleaded guilty to 23 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering, and faces a maximum 20 year sentence on each count, although federal prosecutors are recommending that his sentence be adjusted downward as a result of his cooperation with investigators. Smith has been accused of bilking thousands of investors out of more than $220 million. Before pleading guilty, Smith signed a plea agreement admitting guilt to
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
David Smith
four counts of wire fraud, a count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and 18 counts of money laundering. The Jamaican national, who once regarded in Jamaican and the Turks and Caicos Islands as a philanthropist courtesy of his giving spirit, pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges in the TCI last year and was sentenced. He was later picked up by U.S. authorities in November,
who flew him to Orlando to face the federal charges. Prosecutors say more than 6,000 people from Orange County, Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands and elsewhere invested in Smith's companies, which include the Olint Corp. According to the plea agreement, Smith described Olint as a private investment club, where he would pool investors' money to engage in foreign currency trading on their collective behalf. Smith admits in the plea agreement that he operated a "massive" Ponzi scheme, in which he paid returns to investors from their own money, or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any real profit. Prosecutors claimed that Smith transferred millions of dollars invested by his company's clients to his personal bank accounts, which he used to finance a lavish lifestyle. Those expenditures include a $2 million home, a down-payment for the purchase of a Lear jet and frequent travel on the aircraft, sponsoring a jazz festival in
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
Jamaica, expensive vehicles, vacations, jewelry, gambling and political contributions. Prosecutors also say Smith had ties to a Lake Mary company, i-Trade FX, which was licensed to deal in foreign currency trading. Court documents said Smith was the "majority capital investor" in the business, with an investment of more than $2 million. Smith had to close his business in Jamaica after authorities there raided the company's office in 2006 and barred it from operating. He moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands after the raid. Approximately two years after relocating his operations to the TCI, Smith was arrested by local financial crimes police on a plethora of charges including theft. His case was later taken over by the Helen Garlick-led Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT), which, in the end, got a plea deal out of the scammer. The deal would make for Smith pleading guilty in return for his wife, Tracy, who was his co-accused, walking free.
Come and join our winning team!!
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean and its authorized Recruitment Agencies are inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions. Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language
The Gift Shop Department requires: ASSISTANT MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: At least 3 – 5 years Sales & marketing Experience - Customer Service Experience - Training and development Experience - Merchandising Skills - Inventory Management - At least 3 – 5 years retail background The Kids Kamp Department requires: PIRATES ISLAND MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: - Experience in running a teens and tweens programme. - Professional designation in a related children development programme - Over 3 years managing a children’s operation
The Weddings Department requires: WEDDINGS MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: - Experience managing multiple wedding retail outlets - Proven sales track record in Weddings exceeding sales targets - Ability to up and cross sell - Over 3 years managing a wedding portfolio The Photoshop Department requires: PHOTOSHOP MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: - Experience managing multiple photo retail outlets - Experience meeting sales targets - Ability to cross and up sell
both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends. The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
- Three (3) years relevant experience
The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 per annum
The Project Department requires: PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR (REGIONAL) Requirements include but are not limited to: • Prepare budgets, programs and monitor expenditure • Working experience over 20 years. Hotel Industry over 5 years • Review all design drawings, and prepare design drawings where necessary • Inspect and set out all FF&E for pools, restaurants, hotel rooms and Public areas • Co-ordinate all shipments, and quantify and orders FF&E items Strong Knowledge of BMS, RO plants, Fire, Chill Water System and irrigation system • Co-ordinate ALL Local building approvals eq Health, Planning, Environmental, Fire • Co-Ordinate all warehouse inventory for installation • Train Project Co-ordinators and Local tradesmen • Travel to Nassau, Exuma, Fowl Cay and Jamaica to review all room upgrades • Software knowledge: ACAD, Microsoft Projects, MSWord, MSExcel, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat • Work and communicate with all GM’S, HM’S , CE’s and HOD’s The salary for the position listed above is negotiable
The Administrative Department requires: ZONE MANAGER/TRAINEE ZONE MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: - Experience in F&B, Rooms Division and operations
- Experience in managing a boutique hotel or an operation encompassing rooms, restaurant and environs.
The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $30,000 to $55,000 per annum The Watersports Department requires: DIVE SHOP MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: - Experience managing a Dive shop operation - Ability to up and cross sell - PADI certification to dive - PADI certification to teach instructors - First Aid Certification
Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941- 4870 Attn: M McClean-Vaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road Providenciales and
The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands
and should reach not later than April 8th 2011.
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Several international internet websites report Time Share Scam in Turks and Caicos, but Police deny it
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
SEVERAL
SITES ON the internet last week reported that there was a massive scam involving a time share property in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The website reported that police in the Turks and Caicos Islands have reportedly made the first of several arrests in this country’s first time-share fraud case which involves a local hotel which scammed prospective time-share members of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The reports stated that police made the breakthrough in the case with assistance from company representatives for Lloydshare, the global financial company with deep roots in the timeshare industry, that here is a publicity ban prohibiting the naming of the resort or suspects, and that the resort will be shut down. According to one of the reports, it has been almost two weeks since Lloydshare company officials have been working alongside the Turks and Caicos police, helping build a case against the managers of a newlyopened resort in Turks and Caicos. During that time, the reports stated, Lloydshare staffers on the case helped the Turks and Caicos authorities identify the different types of scams that have been used before within the time-share industry. Quoting someone named Becky Kennedy-Gonzales, as lead investigator
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
for Lloydshare's Due Diligence Department, many of the reports on the Internet stated: "It's unfortunate that with such a beautiful resort, the owners decided to turn the business into a scam designed to defraud visitors to Turks and Caicos. Closing the doors to this scam is imperative for the timeshare community, before the reputation industry is marred by fraudsters." Since then, a Lisette Lopez from Lloydhsare was reported as saying that no one by the name of Becky KennedyGonzales worked for that company. All of the released that appeared on the Internet about the time share scam noted that the Turks and Caicos authorities have never seen this type of case before, and are relying on Lloydshare's internal Due Diligence Department's cooperation to help bring the architects of this scam to justice. One report said Lloydshare executives are adamant about checking into the operations of each resort applying to carry the Lloydshare line of financial products, and it was during the company's due diligence that caught the scamming timeshare resort in Turks and Caicos. Another report said that with new resorts opening its doors almost weekly, there is no regulatory agency within the Turks and Caicos government inspecting these new businesses. The lack of regulations
within many smaller nations has opened doors to scammers looking to defraud unsuspecting visitors to these countries. It was also noted that since Lloydshare began, their Due Diligence Department has seen few scamming operations apply to have their resort carry Lloydshare's line of financial products. This is partly due to the financial company's stringent investigation practices, as the scammers running the fraudulent resorts don't wish to open their books to anyone else. According to the various internet reports, when the resort's application was reviewed by Kennedy-Gonzales, she saw the warning signs almost immediately, and acted with a sense of urgency. Requesting more information from the company, Kennedy-Gonzales dug deeper into their operating procedure and noticed some glaring discrepancies. When she presented her findings to the other investigators, it was apparent that the resort has scammed hundreds of thousands of dollars from would-be members. Following company procedures in dealing with fraudulent resorts,the reports said, Kennedy-Gonzales contacted the federal authorities, and presented her findings to the Turks and Caicos police investigators. Having never seen this type of crime before on Turk and Caicos soil, the police expressed interest in having the Lloydshare investigator work in tandem with them, relying on the many years of experience Kennedy-Gonzales has as a timeshare investigator. The reports also noted that the Time Share scam in the Turks and Caicos Islands was supposed to be a major topic for discussion at the 2011 ARDA Annual Convention & Exposition, which was held from March 27-31, 2011, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, FL ARDA, the premier gathering for the vacation ownership industry attracts more than 3,000 participants from over 20 countries and offers attendees a myriad of educational, networking and social opportunities. The ARDA
Exhibit Hall provides a focal point for learning about new products and services directly from their suppliers, all under one roof. This is the largest show specifically geared toward the resort development industry. Several media houses in the TCI picked up and carried the article about the time share scam. Within hours of being carried by the local media, the time share scam stories disappeared from most, if not all of the international sites that has carried the original articles. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force then issued the following statement: “The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force want to advise that media articles relating to a Timeshare Scam and associated arrests is erroneous. Prior to today, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force had no knowledge of this alleged scam or the company which was highlighted in the media publications. Upon learning of this alleged incident , investigators with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Financial Investigation Unit, conducted inquiries into this matter and have discovered that this all stemmed from a false publication on the Internet.” “Investigators have been in contact with the company highlighted in the articles and have received written confirmation that they did not publish such article and that their company has never conducted any business within the Turks and Caicos Islands. This company is taking this very seriously and are now conducting their own internal investigation into the matter with the hopes of identifying the makers and publishers of these articles so that they can take the appropriate actions against them. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force take these types of unsubstantiated reports very seriously as they only serve to damage the reputation of the Country.” Since the story broke, this newspaper has been bombarded with calls and comments which state that there appears to be a cover-up.
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CLEANER
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.
Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of communal areas, sweeping and mopping of 2loors, cleaning of windows and removal of trash. The applicant will also be responsible for any other duties assigned in regards to general cleaning. Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to work with little to no supervision, should be physically 2it, hard working and reliable.
Wages: $6.00 per hour Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by April 18, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
H and S Construction seeks
ONE MASON
to work 6 days. Must have prior experience. Salary $8 per hour Contact Henley at 244-1821
DOMESTIC WORKER HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.
Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for all duties assigned in regards to general cleaning.
Requirements: The successful applicant must have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques. Must be able to read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. The successful applicant must also be able to work with little to no supervision, should be physically 2it, hard working and reliable. Good presentation and pleasant, friendly personality required. Wages: $6.00 per hour
Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by April 18, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-9465191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
CASAblANCA CASiNO Seeks
5 GAMiNG DEAlErS
Salary $12.50 per hour Minimum of two (2) experiences Must have good communication skills Must have knowledge of Mathematics Must be able to work exible hours Contact: Maryanne ingraham at 941-3737
Page 11
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
ISLAND SPORTIQUE Is seeking a
SALES CLERk
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact: 946-5378
SAMUEL WILSON SEEKS 1 LABOURER Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 2435951
LOCAL NEWS
SUN Publisher criticises Police response to world-wide internet reports of time share scam
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
THE FOLLOWING IS a letter which was written by Publisher and Editor-inChief of the Turks and Caicos SUN, Hayden Boyce, to the Government Press Office, following a press release issued by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force about internet reports of a Time Share Scam. “I honestly cannot hesitate to tell you how disappointed and saddened I am by the press release which was issued late this evening by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force regarding the much-publicised article by the local media on an alleged TimeShare Scam in the Turks and Caicos Islands. While I know for certain that you are not at all responsible for what press releases may emanate from the RTCIPF, it is hoped that by virtue of your respective positions, you will in some way be able to appeal to the sense of reasoning and fairness of those who are trusted with the awesome responsibility of accurately transmitting statements to the public, and also that you will, in future, be able to properly coach and guide them when it comes to issuing Government-related press releases as a whole. As you may well know, the articles on the Time-Share Scam did not at all originate with the local media. The SUN, like I am sure the other media houses, picked up the story from a wide range of sources on the Internet. Certainly, so far as my company is concerned, we felt it sufficiently important to at least bring it to the public’s attention. I’m quite afraid that the press release from the Police, because it is so
vague and open-ended and lop-sided, may very well convey the absolutely false impression that it was the local media who was at fault in this particular matter, when they weren’t. I posted the article late Sunday night, but it had been circulating on the Internet long before then, and it most definitely and certainly would have been in a prime position to be sourced by media houses world-wide in accordance with established journalism practices. To put it bluntly, the response from the RTCIPF casts serious aspersions on the credibility of local media houses who carried the story, instead of clearly informing those who were copied in the said response, that if indeed there was any inaccuracy in this whole exercise, it would have originated outside of the Turks and Caicos Islands media. In fact, the RTCIPF missed a firstclass opportunity to showcase and highlight the vigilance and skill of the local media in such a serious matter. However you look at it, however you spin it, however it turns out, in my view, if it is that this report which was published all across the Internet was indeed and in fact erroneous (which I personally very much doubt, by the way), the Turks and Caicos Islands media should have been credited for drawing it to the attention of local authorities, including the police, so that they at least had the opportunity to respond in the manner in which they did, and so that it would not have continued to spiral out there in cyberspace unchecked, unchallenged and unrefuted.
Cook
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.
Main Duties Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Executive Chef of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out.
Requirements Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English pro8iciently. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision. Salary ranges from $2,500.00 - $3,200.00 monthly commensurate with experience and training. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by April 18, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
It therefore appears particularly odd and preposterous that the local police force would seemingly rush hastily and breathlessly to judgment and classify the report as “erroneous” and “unsubstantiated”, after apparently only directing questions to the overseas company. You have to ask yourself, for example, why, in their “investigation” of this matter, would the Police Force seek to go to such great lengths and expense to contact and question the overseas players in this matter, before and without extending the very same basic and similar courtesies to the local media houses who picked up and carried the story to get their side, so that a more balanced, fair and sensible press release could have been issues. If this is how investigations are conducted in TCI, no wonder!!! Did the local police not find it strange that after local media houses started to make enquiries overseas, most of the Internet links to the TCI time-chare scam disappeared from the Internet? Why was this? Who is hiding what, and why? Before rushing to classify, regard and dismiss the internet report as erroneous, did the local police do a sufficiently full enough investigation, including liaising with law enforcement officials in other jurisdictions, to properly determine whether or not there was actually a time-share scam in the TCI? With the greatest of respect, the mere fact that the Police Force has no knowledge of a particular matter, does not automatically mean that it doesn’t exist and/or that it isn’t true. Local media houses have, in recent times, reported on a raft and range of serious criminal matters that are related to the Turks and Caicos Islands locally and internationally, that never have been commented on, or communicated by, the local police force. The recent case of Richard Pope and Simon Odoni, who both lived and were well-connected here and are now in serious criminal problems in Florida, is but one example of a matter that was NEVER reported upon by the local police. If, as it should be, the police force and the media are to be serious partners, there has to be a clear understanding first of all of our respective guidelines, roles and functions which, as we all know, will differ from time to time. However, disrespect for each other’s duties and responsibilities and attempts by one, even if unintended, to impinge on the credibility of the other, must never, and will never be tolerated by this professional side. And, like the local media and those overseas companies, time-share or otherwise, the Police Force must never in their wildness dreams think or believe that they can simply disseminate outlandish, ridiculous press releases and get away with it.
Daniel Parker Is looking for a
Domestic Worker to work 9-5 Salary $6 per hour Contact 649 241 1629
Page 12
New police commissioner finds force in shambles
LOCAL NEWS
By Vivian Tyson SUN SENIOR EDITOR
MAKING THE POLICE force more effective, efficient, accountable and transparent are the clearly spelt-out undertakings that Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar and his deputy Brad Sullivan will be working towards achieving on their two year assignment in the Turks and Caicos Islands. For instance, the two would be looking to address problems such as the Police Traffic Unit which comprised of 12 people but only one patrol car to police all of Providenciales. Both men, who together account for just over sixty years of policing in Canada, said they have identified a number of weak areas in the force that they would be working to shore up within that timeframe. They revealed that in working towards those goals, the media and other entities would be called upon to play partnering roles. They noted that their role will include making the local police understand that they are here to serve the public in general and keeping them safe. “That is going to be my mandate,” Deputy Commissioner Sullivan said.
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
“We are going to ensure that investigations are done in a timely, effective and efficient manner. So that is what I will be working on the frontline.” For his part, Commissioner Farquar said among the raft of things he wants to achieve before his tenure ends is, to ensure that the police get badly needed equipment and better working conditions that would make their jobs a lot easier. This will include shifting them from the condemned building that houses the Providenciales Police Headquarters, and move them in a more suitable facility. “One of the problems here is facilities which include barracks, but also office space. The B Division of the Headquarters (Providenciales Police Station) has been condemned for many, many years, and we still have officers working there with molds mildew and all the problems (growing on the walls) that it has. So we need to get our officers out of there for health and safety issues. That is the number one concern for me,” Commissioner Farquar stressed. Commissioner Farquar pointed out that while already actively pursuing the Myrtle Rigby Complex, to have police transferred from their
dilapidated headquarters to that complex, the problem of vehicles for efficient police work was also a sore point; one that he was also trying to address in a haste. He noted that a strategy on how to acquire and manage vehicles, boats and aircraft was being pursued. It would include assessing the life expectancy of that equipment, effectively maintaining them for upkeep and to plan how to replace them when life expectancies run out. He noted that the acquisition of vehicles to conduct patrols remains one of the biggest problems. He pointed out also that the area of information technology in the force was always a challenge. “It (police force) has a very good data base but it is not being properly utilized. Part of the problem is we don’t have enough computers for the officers; we need more computers. Everything is interconnected. The vehicles are connected to our planning, our patrolling. Radios are affected, so we have to look at all the different issues and see how they connected. There is no use having a data base and not enough computers,” Commissioner Farquar said.
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
Dr. Ewing blasts ‘millions lost’ claim
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
HEAD OF THE Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service Association, Dr. Rufus Ewing has rubbished claims by the Interim Government that the country lost millions of dollars last Thursday, March 24, when members of the civil service, in particular the firefighters and air traffic controllers at the Providenciales International Airport, staged a sick-out. The sick-out which effectively grounded air traffic into and out of the Turks and Caicos Islands, causing flights to cancel leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The industrial action was said in some circles, to have been caused from last year’s 10 percent salary reduction and impending benefits review in the sector by government. The government, in response to the action, intimated that the country lost a significant amount of money, saying also that it could also have an adverse effect on tourism going forward. In other circles, some were saying that millions of dollars were lost as a result of the civil service members’ action. But, giving a news conference on Friday, March 25, a day after the
Civil Service Association, Dr. Rufus Ewing
event, Dr. Ewing debunked the claims, stating that public sector workers were the ones best positioned to reveal how much money were lost, if any, noting that the figure banded about by some were being greatly exaggerated. “It was stated by Mr. (Mark) Capes (CEO of the Civil Service) that the country lost millions of dollars yesterday (March 24) as a result of civil servants being sick. I wish to state if that was indeed the case, then we should be doing much better off financially as a country. And the
TURKS AND CAICOS NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD
Vacancy:
DIRECTOR (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) Reporting: Directly to the Board of Directors and, as required, to the responsible Minister Reporting Positions: Deputy Director – Operations, Deputy Director – Corporate Services, Financial Controller, Investment Manager Indirect Reporting: Branch Managers – Grand Turk & Providenciales, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Legal Counsel, Human Resource Manager, Information Systems Manager Liaising Relationships: The Minister and Ministry of Finance, The Chief Financial Officer of the TCI Government, Actuaries, External Auditors, Brokers, The National Health Insurance Board, Banks, Investment Companies, Insurance Companies, Government Agencies, other National Insurance Organizations, Employers and Scheme participants, the public media Objective: The achievement of overall objectives of the National Insurance Board within the guidelines of the National Insurance Ordinance and Regulations and in keeping with its Mission: to achieve social protection for the aged, working population and their dependents by being financially viable and providing social security in a reliable caring and effective manner through competent motivated staff and informed leadership Key Responsibility Areas: • Provision of strong leadership and management of the NIB’s staff in pursuit of its objectives and the fulfillment of the NIB’s responsibilities. • Achievement of strategic, financial and actuarial targets, and meeting
Page 13
question should be asked, ‘why are we not doing so much better if we can lose millions of dollars in a single day? “This also goes to show that a significant percentage of the money that is made in this country both in the public and the private sector is made on the backs of hard-working civil servants, so we deserve some amount of respect. It should be supported by all sectors that our welfare is well looked after,” Ewing noted Ewing also tossed out claims that as a result of the sick-out national security was threatened, as all the essential services, including the police, local ambulance and emergency medical air service were affected. “We were also aware that there was no threat to public safety in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as the ambulance service, as we learned, was operational. The domestic fire service was also operational. The police service was also operational, and the domestic fire service was able to provide the amount of fire officers necessary for their operation aerodrome fire service to facilitate medical emergency evacuation flights,” Ewing noted. The CSA Head also accused the
government of seeking to apply intimidatory tactics geared at frightening the civil servants into shying away from standing up for their rights, when it remarked in a news statement that their action could cause their March pay to be late. He noted, too, that the remark was also aimed at driving a wedge among its members with a view to cause internal conflict. Ewing also lashed the tourist board for its apparent self-serving comments regarding the sick-out. “We don’t expect the Tourist Board to say anything different than what they said in regards to the impact of the sickness of civil servants on the tourism sector. The impact should be a short term impact if any at all. But this short term impact does not compare to long term, long lasting negative impact of the proposed policies in relation to taxation, pension, gratuity and payroll. That will have an impact on the lives of civil servants, their families and residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “I am not sure that the Tourist Board has the welfare of the civil service at heart, because, as I have said earlier, their money is made on the backs of civil servants,” Dr. Ewing noted.
obligations to subscribers. • Proper fiscal management and safeguarding the financial viability of the National Insurance Fund. • Development of strategies, policies and procedures for sound governance and ensuring adherence. • Coordination of the development and implementation of effective human resource and performance management systems throughout the NIB. • Development and execution of internal and external communications strategies, including marketing and public relations, to engage stakeholders for effective policy formulation and operations. • Provision of sound advice, recommendations and reports to the Board of Directors and the responsible Minister. Required Qualifications: • A minimum of ten (10) years experience in a senior executive capacity in a similar or related industry, preferably including some experience working with a multi-disciplined Board of Directors • Masters Degree in Business Administration or related discipline from a recognised institution • Proficiency in strategic planning, financial analysis and portfolio management • Training in contemporary management practices and human resource development • Training in marketing and public relations, presentations development and execution, and report writing • Information technology knowledge and its application in monitoring performance standards • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Proven track record of sound decision making and managerial performance Please send your application and résumé by April 21, 2011. Compensation will be within the range of US$95,550 to US$110,000. Please respond by mail to: The Secretary Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board Waterloo Plaza, Waterloo Road Grand Turk Turks and Caicos Islands, BWI
Page 14
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
Page 15
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Nikki Beach being sued Continued...
LOCAL NEWS
Page 16
Individual Independence
LOCAL NEWS by The Torch
"ONE OF THE wonderful things about free markets is that the path to greater wealth comes not from looting, plundering and enslaving one's fellow man, as it has throughout most of human history, but by serving and pleasing him."-- Walter Williams While our Brit occupiers are looting and plundering our few remaining customers with a brand new income tax on foreign workers' incomes and enslaving us with an Euro-VAT that will destroy our small fragile island economy and reputation indefinitely and nudge us towards an ill-prepared and indignant jurisdictional independence, The Torch and others are advocating individual independence for all islanders - through personal choice and free markets. The current constitutional deal islanders have with the Brits is killer. That's why the Brits are trying to engineer you out by making ANYTHING look better than what you've got! Don't fall for it. You've got the best possible deal for the time being! Keep them on the hook for our external and internal security affairs. Just do a better job of holding their feet to the fire in the future. The Torch will help. Why has there never been a TCIG department that does nothing but monitor the Brits' compliance with their constitutional duties and file periodic reports of any malfeasance with the FAC, EU, UN and the UK media. The occupying Brits fear all of these. Meanwhile, there aren't that many islanders. An additional 1500-2000 private sector jobs for islanders is not an excessive task for our combined TCI brain trust to create. That relatively small number of new jobs for islanders would slash our public spending and should be sufficient to drive the local economy providing some of those jobs caused a proportional increase in Rich - Investor - Professional - Executives. The Torch will call our target market RIPE's. Get it? You gotta have a cool double-entendre acronym for these things. It's half the sale. RIPE's will have no path to TC citizenship, and will pay for all TCIG services they use (and then some) as well as employ islanders in their businesses and professions, which by law will not be able to solicit business from within the islands. RIPE's will pump our customs, stamp duty, immigration and economy and pass the word to their envious friends back home. Can you say "referral fee?" As you know, The Torch has advocated a new self-generated industry of TC islanders who "sell" the paradisiacal reality of the TCI, through an Executive Residency immigration status, to new RIPE customers who will pump our economy for decades and obviate the need for any further "help" from the treacherous Socialist Brits. However, to get the Executive Residency program started, those same treacherous Socialist Brits must adjust the Immigration Ordinance to create that particular free market that will obviate the need for their further treachery and scheming. Hmmmm. Do you think they read that thing above about holding their feet to the fire? Almost all free markets exist naturally despite government intrusion, not because of it. The only downside to the Executive Residency project is that because islanders would be selling an immigration status, a product that exists only artificially, government must act first. Shouldn't be a problem! The Socialists are always talking vaguely about public-private partnerships. Here's their chance to put our money where their double-talking mouths are and then get out of the way. In the meantime, where are the other good business-creating ideas we will certainly need going forward? The Torch sees more and more islanders taking rational positions on all issues, but while The Torch sees good analysis and commentary, he hears almost nothing substantive out of islander civil society: the political gangs (either the bigots or the criminals); the Chamber of Commerce; or the socalled Christian churches. After a promising start, there is also now nothing of value coming out of the so-called Advisory and
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Consultative Councils. That is a particular pity, because those bodies were a natural possibility for leadership. Perhaps The Torch is premature, but there is a time component to the Brits' planned destruction of our economy. "A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves" Edward R. Murrow Instead of helpful suggestions from civil society, we get indignant destructive actions from the Civil Service Association, which itself represents the very heart of our public spending problems and of the rampant top to bottom public sector corruption that will dog us for years to come. We also get something called "Turks and Caicos Informers" which presents a moral defense to TCI political gang corruption based upon the immoral argument, "Well, he did it too." Hint: the plural in the name means there's just one of them. Of course, no constructive criticism or substantial suggestions for progress going forward are provided by the Informer. That would require exposed noncontradictory free thinking intellect. Instead, there is a thinly veiled eagerness to get back to the political gang corruption based upon little more thought and justification than, "Hey, at least it will be OUR political gang corruption." Completely meaningless phrases such as, "talking with and listening to us," "our concerns and our desires for our country and its future," " the interests of the Turks and Caicos people at heart" are scattered freely by the Informer. You could read more of these fuzzy phrases if the bigoted political gang could afford the $3 a month necessary to keep its website online. However, the bigots are not alone. The criminal political gang has recently spoken about "listening to the people." What the heck does that mean? Let The Torch guess. It means exactly the same as the bigots' phrases. It means: Elect us and we'll do what we want. If we like you, we'll "empower" you and your relatives with other people's money. We'll tell you it is your "entitlement as a TC islander" but we won't tell you that these entitlements will keep you silent, mentally weak and dependent upon us, just like your parents and grand parents. Heck, why don't the political gangs just go whole hog with the "hope and change" canard. Islanders really ought by now to understand that when you hear such non-specific, feel-good phrases from demagogue politicians, they are doing nothing more than targeting and driving away your customers, who are now few, nervous and listening and watching very carefully. Immigrants here learned long ago that when we hear such nonsense from your political gangs, we check our wallets. Islanders are just beginning to realize, given the perfect storm of the Misick/Tauwhare administration and the world recession, that when their political gangs target us, we vote with our feet. The brilliant islandser economist, Drexwell Seymour, stated publicly at the beginning of the Misick administration that he would be OK with all ex-pats leaving as islanders would simply buy up our properties at low prices. How has that worked out for you, Drexwell? Getting a lot of mortgages to buy up our properties, are you? Tried TC Bank? Islanders need slightly better economic leadership than the short-sighted xenophobia of Mr. Seymour. When we leave, you can't make your own mortgage payments, let alone ours. Do you get it yet? "He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent which will reach to himself." -- Thomas Paine Treating foreign owned businesses and wealthy ex-pats as prey, rather than assets, often pays off politically in the short run -- and elections are held in the short run. Killing the goose was a viable short-term political strategy for the Skippings/Taylor administration. Can we now all agree that a politically expedient killing of the goose has left us, somewhat predictably, with a dead goose?
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
"Let me add that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters"-- Benjamin Franklin You will also have noticed a new dynamic from the Informer. Informer chastises The Torch and others for their anonymity. That's right! You read that correctly. Apparently without any sense of circumspection whatsoever, Informer claims that the essential anonymity of The Torch and others automatically entitles her to question our motives - again without any substantive argument against what we are saying. She has neither the courage to disclose her own identity nor the intellectual integrity to address the obvious question as to why her own opinions should not be questioned automatically because of her own anonymity! The Torch and other foreigners in the TCI protect their identity because they fear retribution by and through the highly politicized and completely unaccountable Immigration Department. However, why would an alleged islander think it essential to protect her identity from the consequences of her own opinions, foolish or otherwise, in her own country? Does she know sub-consciously that her opinions are the tired, outdated Socialist bromides that have killed the goose and brought all of us to this critical point in time? Well, that and the fact that her employer would probably not abide her Ludditism. Eleanor Roosevelt, not The Torch's primary metaphysical source, got it right: "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." Islanders, forget the personalities. This is not a personality contest between The Torch and the political gangs and their henchmen, like Informer. This is a battle of ideas for the minds of islanders at a significant time in their country's life. Look at those ideas!! Assess them. Turn them over. What makes sense to you - in relation to your family's education and the advancement of your personal wealth? Make your choices for your own betterment and education and that of your family. Succeed or fail based upon your own choices, but always make your own choices. Don't let that party man or woman come down the road and buy your vote and silence for the same $400 and a cheap promise to get you some rich ex-pat money. It doesn't work. You cross the Thatcher Line and run out of other people's money! On an island, you literally run out of people to target and shake down. However, If you do conclude that bigotry against foreigners who hold bona fide opinions and are trying their level best to assist you (and themselves at the same time) and top-to-bottom public and private sector corruption are the correct, moral and rewarding way to go, then so be it. You have seen where that philosophy takes you, but if you want to screw your country one more revolution into the ground for your short-term gain, go for it. Screw it hard and deep and get ready to explain to your 5-year old that there are no more scholarship funds. “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.� -Edward Abbey The Torch exhorts you to take a different and refreshing view. Instead of envy, bigotry, plunder and looting, make business your politics. Productivity always has to come first in any rational human life. It is the primary. What does every other living being do? What is its basic activity of life? An animal hunts or forages for food. A plant digs its roots into the soil. For the same reason, we build, we start businesses, we have careers, we work to support our families. Productivity, not self-loathing envy and hatred of others, is the primary natural activity of human life. Productivity precedes your wealth, your children's education, your privately purchased health care and your freedom from that party man or woman. Those are real and enduring freedoms that you can instill into your children. Productivity leads directly to those real freedoms. Productivity is what Jefferson meant when he wrote "the pursuit of happiness" into the US Declaration of Independence. Let productivity be your family's individual declaration of independence. "All restraints upon man's natural liberty, not necessary for the simple maintenance of justice, are of the nature of slavery, and differ from each other only in degree." -- Lysander Spooner.
Page 17
SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Pursuant to the provisions of the Registered Land Ordinance, Temple Mortgage Fund Ltd., The Temple Financial Centre, Providenciales HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will cause to be sold by public auction the following properties: TITLE
50200/40 Sandy Point North Caicos
60602/133 Norway & Five Cays, Providenciales 60720/58&59 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill Providenciales
61112/34 Long Bay Hills Providenciales
60718/158 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill Providenciales 60715/11 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill Providenciales
DESCRIPTION
REGISTERED PROPRIETOR
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a Guest Maverick Holdings Ltd. House & a pool with over 5000 square feet of living space
Approximately 0.70 acres of undeveloped land located north of the Provo Airport with views of the Southern and Western part of the Island.
Gilbert Selver
Approximately 2.54 acres of Albray Butterfield Jr. undeveloped land, with a top ridge view of approx 80 feet above sea level, which gives good views of the south side of the island & the new Cooper Jack Marina. Either parcel can be purchased separately.
Two storey apartment on Albray Butterfield Jr. approximately 0.35 acres. It comprises of two, one bedroom apartments on the lower floor, and a two bedroom apartment on the upper floor. The entire building is approximately 1850 square feet. The property has direct access onto Leeward Highway. A two storey apartment building with six, one bedroom apartments on approximately 0.66 acres of land. The property is accessed via Venetian Road which continues through to the Flamingo Lake.
Naomi Bassett
Approximately 0.69 acres of vacant Naomi Bassett land accessed directly from Leeward Highway situated between Carib Glass and Supplies (Glass Shack Building) and Temple Financial Group.
10203/169 Undeveloped land, approximately Naomi Bassett North West Suburbs 0.27 acres. It is part of a residential Grand Turk subdivision close to the western shores of North Creek. It is located on the west hand side of Quarry Lane, some -900 feet from North Wells Road and Quarry Lane junction. The auction will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday 15th April 2011 at the offices of Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales. Conditions of sale may be obtained from Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., The Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, telephone (649) 946-5293, fax (649) 946-5289.
Interested persons may bid by way of sealed tender delivered no later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 addressed to Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales clearly marked “ AUCTION BID-APRIL 15 2011. Block____ / Parcel__.” Should the bid meet the reserve price and constitute the highest offer, the property will be considered sold to the person making the bid. Note that a 10% deposit is required immediately from the successful bidder at the auction. Note that Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd. accepts no responsibility in respect of the receipt or otherwise of sealed bids and prospective purchasers are encouraged to ensure safe delivery of sealed bids to Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd. in good time and further to attend at the auction to ensure that the bid is properly made.
New five year health plan initiated
LOCAL NEWS
By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor
By the end of this year, the Turks and Caicos Islands health sector should have a new health policy strong enough to last possibly for the next ten years, thanks to a twoday strategic planning exercising undertaken by government to lay the framework for the document. The plan appears necessary since the five year plan that was rammed into gear in 2005 expired last year, effectively means that the health sector is currently being operated on borrowed time. The sessions which lasted over two days were conducted by Health Management Systems Development Consultant, Peter Carr. Director for Health Services, Dr. Rufus Ewing said the just-expired plan would be reviewed courtesy of a situational analysis where gains and lack of accomplishments would be placed under the microscope and meticulously scrutinized, so as to provide the participants with a clearer view and understanding on how to craft the new policy. “If there are programmes that need strengthening – how do we strengthen those programes; if there are programmes that need scrapping, how do we go about scrapping those programmes or regulate them. If there are programmes to be regulated, how do we regulate them. If there are stronger regulations needed to put in place, and new areas that are identified; and problems that we have identified that have not been addressed yet, how do we go about addressing those problems,” Dr. Ewing noted. The Health Services director noted, too, that the new strategic health policy would be formulated with the ailing economy in mind, but expressed the hope that it would not deter the plans that would be needed to be put in place for the
advancement of health services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “The economy is very low at the current time, so we may have lots of financial constraints. (And we will be looking at) how do we go about delivering health care services in the environment of financial constraints,” Ewing said. While a ten year plan would be desirable, Dr. Ewing noted that based on the high level of especially financial uncertainty in the TCI, planning for five years would be the more feasible route to go. He however, noted that the TCI already has the majority of the health components in place, and was just a matter of strengthening them to make the process more effective. Dr. Ewing pointed to major achievements in the health sector set-out in the just expired five year strategic plan, including the Cheshire Hall and Cockburn Town Medical facilities in Grand Turk and Providenciales respectively, the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) and areas of primary care and environmental health. In addition to the Ministry of Health and health agencies, including Environmental Health, the National AIDS Programme, and persons were also drawn from the National Health Insurance and the private health sector. The collective views by the stakeholders at the session would now be used to develop the strategic plan and programmes for the health sector over the next few months. A draft document would first be developed and distributed to persons who participated in the planning sessions for them to make a final review after which the recommendations contained would form the final document. Dr. Ewing is hoping that the plan would be completed and ready for implementation within the next three months.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD. HAB Management Limited is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:
LABOURERS (4)
Candidates must be physically capable of hard manual labour outside on a daily basis. Previous experience is preferred. Candidates must be willing to work holidays and weekends when required. Wages starts at $6.00 per hour.
Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by April 18, 2011 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Position is available immediately. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
Page 18
Don’t cut school budget – warns Hutchinson
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
By Vivian Tyson SUN Senior Editor
BUSINESSMAN AND EARLY childhood school operator Allan Hutchinson is warning of precipitating effects for education if government’s economic austerity measures bears down on especially the pre and primary school system. Quoting a number of history shapers including Mark Twain, one of whose many writings noted: "Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail, and Andy McIntyre and Derek Bok, who said, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance", Hutchinson is advising government to only mow around the hedges of the education sector, since pruning any of its branches could have an uprooting effect. “As the TCI experiences the greatest economic challenge of its recent history and is forced to look at ways to balance its budget; I do hope that education, especially at the pre and primary level will not be sacrificed on the block of right sizing,” Hutchinson noted. According to Hutchinson if the TCI is to move forward, one of the
Allan Hutchinson
planks on which it would depend will be education, and so, any cuts in the sector could result in tremendous setback. “I am passionate about the need for quality education. My wife and I own one of the oldest private schools in the Turks & Caicos Islands (Precious Treasures School) and over the past 22 years, we have invested our lives and financial resources into establishing and maintaining an
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS GARDENER
Duties Include: • Maintain the interior and exterior grounds of the Resort, under the supervision of the landscaping manager ensuring that the grounds are free of foliage and debris. • Starting salary $5.50 an hour not including service charge
SPA ATTENDANT
Requirements: • Must posses and demonstrate the ability to interact with all guests and team members effectively with tact and diplomacy in line with property's service standards. Duties Include: • Ensure that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in the spa area. • Escort guests from reception; provide locker keys, towels, robes, water etc. and assist with guest needs as required. • Starting salary $5.50 an hour not including service charge
BARTENDER
Requirements: • Must have advanced knowledge of beverage preparation and service of alcoholic beverages with ability to mix, garnishes and present drinks using standard ingredient recipes. Duties Include: • Maintain proper and adequate set-up of the bar on a daily basis and cleaning of bar area on closing. • Requisitioning and stocking of all beer, wine, spirits, paper products, etc. and produce based projections from the daily functions sheet. • Maintaining stock, cutting and storing of all fresh fruit and vegetable garnishes, juices and other perishables daily to insure product quality. Starting wage $6.50 per hour
Interested applicants should apply to the Regent Palms in person, Monday through Friday 10AM to 12PM and bring along a recent C.V or by emailing mdorsett@regentexperiendce.com.
institution worthy of mention,” Hutchinson stated. The businessman added: “The future prosperity of the TCI will depend not on the concrete and steel in the ground or the maintaining of our "beautiful by Nature" status but instead by the political will and commitment to tangibly support a good education programme for its citizens.” Hutchinson that revealed that nongovernment schools are on wobbly legs as a result of the worldwide financial bind now being experienced by many countries, including those in the Caribbean, and is therefore advocating for government financial aid. He noted that allowing privates to remain open was in government’s best interest, since public schools would be unable to absorb the nearly 2,000 in the event that those schools are forced
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to close. “Private Schools are now very vulnerable due to the economic downturn and if not given some immediate financial support could easily become a casualty of the harsh economic times. With an estimated 1500 students in Private Schools across the country; will the TCIG be in a position to build and staff new accommodations if they are forced to close their doors in the near future?” Hutchinson noted. The economic conditions have already claimed at least two private schools casualties and were threatening several others, who have seen their student population dwindled significant to the point of some classes having to close and teachers laid off, some of whom have either already returned home or gone to greener educational pastures.
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TCI Journal editors take strong issue with comments made by NHIB CEO Brian Hogan in SUN interview
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
Submitted By Editors of TCI Journal
In an exclusive interview given to SUN publisher Hayden Boyce, CEO of the National Health Insurance Plan, NHIP, Brian Hogan issues forth a merciless stream of untruths. In particular we would like to draw the attention of all TCI citizens and residents to his attempt to paint as an example of exemplary care, the care given to a woman who as a result of NHIP actions and inactions, lost one of her kidneys and who but for the grace of others, almost lost her life! There are so many untruths, half truths and patent lies in Brian Hogan’s statements to Hayden Boyce, that one hardly knows where to begin. But let us try and set the record straight. We quote from the article (in italics) and then the facts. Considering that Dayna Wallace, Brian Hogan’s protégé was fired (by the NHIB against his objections) from her position as NHIP Operations Manager especially because of her mis-handling of this case among many others, it is astonishing (and frankly goes to his state of mind) that Brian Hogan would EVEN DARE attempt to mislead the public on this case! And Governor Wetherell, if you do not have time to read the whole piece, please at least read the conclusion at the end. From the March 25th Sun article titled : NHIB not responsible for any patient deaths or inadequate health care, says CEO Brian Hogan He said: “Last summer, a website reported that a beneficiary required emergency medical treatment at an offshore facility. It stated that an air ambulance vendor was not able to evacuate the patient until the following day when it transferred the patient to a regional medical facility rather than a facility in the USA. The patient was then provided travel by a third party to a facility in South Florida which was forced to perform emergency service due to the delays of the original transfer and the poor care at the regional medical facility.” [The Truth: We said much more than this. In particular the 30 days of negligence and multiple incidents in reference to this patient preceding this one event that Brian Hogan mentions above.] He continued: “The reality is that a beneficiary, a national of a country in the region was referred to an overseas facility after an on-island
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
specialist diagnosed her condition and recommended a second opinion and surgery if the diagnosis was confirmed. [The Truth: A Turks and Caicos Islander was diagnosed and recommended to go to the United States within 24 hours for a serious kidney stone issue. A doctor at Interhealth Canada communicated with a doctor in the US and exchanged details about the patient…then when care was still not provided after ONE MONTH had elapsed, other TCI medical personnel intervened out of concern to draw attention to the patient. Only then was she sent to the Bahamas on Brian Hogan’s favoured air ambulance company... Redbridge Networks, the company hired by Hogan to handle overseas treatment had NO qualified medical director and was not monitoring this case for some unknown reason, and the previous firm who used to handle these matters for the TCI had been blacklisted by Hogan for having blown the whistle on NHIP mismanagement…………. In the Bahamas the PATIENT & THE BAHAMIAN MEDICAL STAFF called the previous firm since the patient had been abandoned in the Bahamas with no follow-up from NHIP operations personnel for over a week after being sent there!] The beneficiary had an expired passport from their country of origin so a medical facility in that country was the best option for an emergent transfer. [The Truth: For medical emergencies, it is possible to get a person into the US immediately, even on expired papers. Trinity Air Ambulance (the previous firm) has been able to do this again and again and again, for many years for Turks and Caicos patients and for patients of other nationalities. This is a lame excuse at best.]
The air ambulance vendor advised it could not get landing clearance at the international airport of that country as the runway was temporarily closed due to equipment stuck on the runway. The air ambulance vendor received clearance at 6 am the following morning and beneficiary was admitted to the Emergency Room at approximately 10:00 am. After an examination, she was scheduled to see a specialist for her condition as an outpatient and released at approximately noon the same day. The beneficiary visited the
TWELAN S. SWANN
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specialist who confirmed the diagnosis and recommended surgery at the regional medical facility. [The Truth: The patient was ignored and abandoned in the Bahamas for one week and did not know what to do and contacted the previous firm, while the family contacted the TCI Journal for help. Action was only taken after a fire storm occurred in the local media. NHIP THEN appointed Sam Slattery (someone who has since then lost at least 8 of any 9 hypothetical lives his reputation may have had) as medical director the very day of one of our articles, in the middle of THIS CRISIS, because NHIP had no-one overseeing the medical care of overseas patients. Doctors at Interhealth Canada informed us that it was only after the Journal’s articles that action was taken because there was “heat from above”.]
While in their country of origin, the beneficiary was able to renew their passport and received travel assistance from a third party to a South Florida facility where the same procedure recommended by the TCI on-island specialist and the regional specialist was conducted.” [The Truth: This is probably the most offensive of Hogan’s lies. The “third party” stepped in only out of necessity after Dayna Wallace lied in response to the patient’s request to have another doctor attend to her. Dayna Wallace told the patient there were no commercial flights available, and due to all the delays the situation had now become hyper-critical and the patient was in greater pain. Dayna Wallace had the audacity to imply to the patient that she may even die if the patient did not follow her direction. The third party stepped in to fill the breach created by the NHIP and arranged her flight and immediate care in Florida (with the doctor selected by Interhealth Canada and communicated with 35 days earlier). The third party also had to guarantee payment because Dayna Wallace called the doctor after the patient arrived in Florida and said the doctor would not be paid what had previously been negotiated. (This sequence of events was precipitated because the patient had been taken into surgery in the Bahamas, and after starting, the Bahamian surgeon had stopped and said he needed another specialist. It was afterward, after speaking with the NHIP, that the Bahamian pressed her to come back
again and have him (not another specialist) remove the kidney instead of just removing the stone. The patient thus had ABSOLUTELY, and JUSTIFIABLY no further faith in what the doctor was saying to her. Would you?) The doctor in Florida said if he had received the patient 35 days earlier as should have occurred, perhaps he could have saved the Kidney; there was not enough information for him to say conclusively. Keith Bellamy himself said that there were two opinions following the sequence of events, one that the Kidney could have been saved and the other that it could not have been. (Please note she also had known serious gynecological issues that were not even being scheduled to be addressed by the NHIP but were thankfully attended to while she was in Florida.)]
Hogan said the NHIB believes that this is a “good example of perception versus fact”, adding that the NHIB cannot comment on events as they occur as it is “obligated to protect patient confidentiality”. [The Truth: Brian Hogan’s statements are a “good example of CONSCIOUSLY misleading the public after you have screwed up”. The patient at one point was willing (and may still be) to go on television to share her experiences so that others would not have to suffer or lose an organ as she had suffered, and lost, with the NHIP.]
The Governor and healthcare advisor Keith Bellamy KNOW the facts in this case are as the Journal states them. The Question for the Governor is: What are YOU going to do now having once again caught Brian Hogan consciously misleading the public? Why do you continue to leave him in charge of our healthcare? In charge of millions of dollars and our lives? Unlike Ervine Quelch and Trevor Cooke at the NIB, where inaction by the interim administration has only cost us money with the collapse of the TCI Bank and loss of pension equity; here inaction will continue to cost us our loved ones. A professional needs to be mature enough to admit their mistakes if they are ever to learn from them. Brian Hogan has clearly shown himself once again to be unwilling or incapable of doing either. Someone at the FCO, or the Governor’s Office, pretend to care.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
Beaches Honors Employees at Annual Prestige Award
The annual Prestige award recognizes and rewards individuals whose performance has consistently made a positive impact on the quality of services offered at the resort. The ceremony has earned a top reputation for excellence for those who have worked diligently.
Prestige Department of the year: Bar Department
2009 Team Member of the Year, Karan Harris with General Manager Don Dagenais
Financial Comptroller Award recipient Elesia Chin with Adrian Whitehead Runner-up Team Member of the year, Kendro Campbell with Ansell Williams, Bill Ingler & GM Don Dagenais
Clearance Fulford accepts ‘Most Improve Team Member’ and Melissa Hoilett
Carlton Biggs, Stewarding Manager receives ‘ Best Team Player’ award from F&B Director Bill Ingler
Clement Howell High School Violin Orchestra performs at Annual Prestige
Enid Capron Primary School Band performs at Annual Prestige
Master of Ceremony, Training Manager Dr. Shelly- Ann Clarke Nadage Gibson receives ‘HM Heart of the House’ award from Adrian Whitehead
Kitchen Team receives Special Service Award Top Trained Department award recipient, Camp Sesame
F&B Director Bill Ingler with Bar Manger Ansell Williams
Song bird Claudine Boyce performs at the 2010 Prestige Awards
Manager of the Year recipient Fayon Reynolds with Senior Executive Manager Lucky Sahlon
Prestige Department of the year: Bar Department
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Melanie’s got
The Look
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APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
with Mary Kay!
The first monthly Mary Kay Make-Up Party was officially launched at the Carambola Grill and Lounge under the theme “Party With A Purpose” Enriching the lives of others!” on Friday, March 25th and enjoyed an excited turnout from several women across the island. Entrepreneur, Mrs. Melanie Smith, a nail technician of 21 years in the Turks & Caicos Islands, is the driving force behind the event and also the newest Independent Beauty Consultant of Mary Kay Cosmetics after receiving her official pin in February 2011. A wide array of products were on display and participants were given recommendations and solutions for various skin problems, in addition to invaluable makeup tips and tricks. Special Guest Speaker, Ms Michelle Swann gave the group an enlightening presentation on celebrating “All things Makeup & Skincare.” Smith said she became a makeup consultant, specifically for the Mary Kay brand, “to share the experience of enriching the lives of others, as well as celebrating all things that completes us as women. [The company has] awesome products, great service and guaranteed solutions to bring out your natural beauty. Any makeup lover knows the right tools make all the difference!” Smith also believes beauty is more than skin deep and in tandem with her theme, will donate a percentage of each party to various local charity groups, beginning with the kidney foundation this month (March). The Mary Kay philosophy has traditionally focused on empowering women and
Guest speaker Michelle Swann and hostess Melanie Smith
We have a winner! Mrs. Kerr proudly displays her gift
A smiling Chandra!
encouraging them to live a balanced life, however Smith has hopes of broadening this view, by hosting a Father’s Day Dance entitled “Dance with My Father Again” in June. She offered her thanks to all the individuals and companies that supported the launch party- Mrs. Michelle Swan- Guest Speaker, Ms. Barbara Johnson who acted as photographer, her daughters Vadijah and Crissy, all the enthusiastic guests and Carambola Grill and Lounge for donating the space to host the event. Why should anyone bother with Mary Kay Cosmetics? “From my experience, MK products really lives up to its name! I laugh, I cry, I play………it doesn’t matter, it stays on until I’m ready to take it off. I look forward to every ones full support!” Smith said with an easy smile.
With prizes to be won, guests enthusiastically participated in the games Sharon was happy to show her support
All the ladies pose for a group photo.
Guest Speaker Michelle Swann gives Shekereah some pointers
Barbara Johnson is always ready with a pretty smile
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
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Judith Campbell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health
Sheranne Isaacs – Ferriera and Aldora Robinson
Dr. Susan Delphene and Dr. Janice Baron of the Dental Department
APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011
FROM LEFT – Charlene Higgs, Undersecretary for Health and Human Services, Dr. Imterniza McCartney and Dr. Terese Maitland
From left - Dr. Jardine Torno and Head of the Emergency Medical Service (ambulance), Patrick Riel
Dr. Sam Slattery
Jackurlyn Sutton
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
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Dr. Adolphus Oguche and Leroy Kennedy
From left - Nurse Mary Forbes, Helen Talbot and Betty-Ann Been-Robinson
From left – Dr. Kendra Hall and Julia Brothwell, the British Red Cross Representative to the TCI
Dr. Rufus Ewing, Head of the TCI Health Services
From left – Lorne Robinson, Director of Environment Health; Dexter Gordon, Environmental Health Officer and Kenrick Neely, Deputy Director of Health Services
Dr. Euan Menzies of Associated Medical Practices and Aldora Robinson, National AIDS Coordinator
Pastor John Malcolm and Noreane Lightbourne
Peter Carr, Health Management/ Systems Development Consultant
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Colour me
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Black EyEd PEas
Just Cant Get Enough Boy I think about it every night and day I'm addicted wanna jump inside your love I wouldn't wanna have it any other way I'm addicted and I just can't get enough I just can't get enough I just can't get enough I just can't get enough I just can't get enough
Honey got a sexy all steamin She givin hotness a new meanin Perfection mama you gleamin Inception you got a brother dreamin dreamin Damn baby I'm feignin I'm trynna holler at you, I'm screamin Let me love you down this evenin Love you love you ya you know you are my demon
Girl we could form a team and I could be the king you could be the queen and My mind's dirty and it don't need cleanin I love you long time so you know the meanin
Oh baby I can't come down so please come help me out You got me feelin high and I can't step off the cloud And I just can't get enough
Boy I think about it every night and day I'm addicted wanna jump inside your love I wouldn't wanna have it any other way I'm addicted and I just can't get enough
Boy I think about it every night and day I'm addicted wanna jump inside your love I wouldn't wanna have it any other way I'm addicted and I just can't get enough
Honey got me runnin like I'm flow joe Signs her name on my heart with an X-O Love's so sweet got me vexed oh I wanna wish it right back like presto, yes
Not Sunk in your bed rock Caught Up in your love shock Knocked Out by your cold shot I'm stuck in your head li-
I just can't get enough I just can't get enough I just can't get enough I just can't get enough
Meantime I wait for the next time She come around 'fore I toast to the best time We lol back and forth on the text line She got me fishin for her love I confess I'm Somethin bout her smile and that combo Got me high and I ain't comin down yo My heart's pumpin out louder than electro She got me feelin like Mr. Roboto
Oh baby I can't come down so please come help me out You got me feelin high and I can't step off the cloud And I just can't get enough
I just can't
Can't get out won't when Makin me feign, give it to me I want it all, know what I mean Your love is a dose of ecstasy
Addicted I can't get Away from You Afflicted I need it I'm missin I want your lovin right next to me And I can't Erase ya out of my memory
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Clooney to be witness in Italian Prime Minister’s sex trial
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
ENTERTAINMENT
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
HOLLYWOOD STAR IS ON THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER'S LIST OF DEFENSE WITNESSES Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has called Hollywood star George Clooney among his defense witnesses when he goes on trial next month accused of sleeping with an under aged prostitute, court documents said. Berlusconi is accused of having sex with Moroccan night-club dancer Karima el Mahroug, known by her stage name Ruby, when she was 17, below the legal age for prostitution in Italy. In the trial, which begins on April 6, prosecutors accuse Berlusconi of having had sex with a "significant number" of prostitutes during parties held at his
private villa near Milan. He is also accused of abusing his office to have Ruby released from police custody where she was accused of theft, as part of a cover-up. Ruby told prosecutors during questioning that Clooney and his partner, Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, were among the guests at one of Berlusconi's parties, a claim denied by Canalis. And Clooney's publicist Stan Rosenfield issued the following statement on behalf of the actor: "It seems odd since I've only met Berlusconi once and that was in an
Chris Brown hits No. 1, postmeltdown, with 'F.A.M.E.' album
George Clooney
Like the adage about bad publicity, R&B singer Chris Brown proves that there’s also no such thing as a bad meltdown on national TV as long as they spell your name correctly and plug your new album. That album, “F.A.M.E.,” entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at No. 1 with first-week sales of 270,000 copies, the second highest total of the year, despite -- or perhaps partly because of -- the singer's tirade after ABC-TV's “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts asked him about his assault on former girlfriend Rihanna rather than limiting their discussion to the album. It gives Brown his first No. 1 on the national album chart, although its initial-week sales total is slightly down from his 2007 high of 294,000 for “Exclusive,” which peaked at No. 4 in Billboard. A day after his angry outburst, Brown told the BET Channel’s “106 & Park” show, “I felt like they told us this just so they could get us on the show to exploit me. That’s what I thought. So I kind of took it very, very hard. And I kept my composure throughout the interview, although you could see me upset, you know. I kept my composure and did my performances, and when I got back, I just let off, like, steam in the
King disses Piers Morgan's new CNN show
Chris Brown
back … I just had to release the anger that I had inside me, because I felt like I worked so hard for this music.” Brown’s appearance Tuesday on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” helped the show take the night’s TV rating contest, although some participants expressed disappointment that the show had invited him on in light of the 2009 domestic violence case.
ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW LANDS IN OPRAH'S CHICAGO STUDIO
Rosie O'Donnell will base her new, hour-long TV talk show at Oprah Winfrey's soon-to-be vacated space at Harpo Studios in Chicago, with the program airing on Winfrey's OWN cable network this fall, the studio said. "I'm delighted to welcome Rosie to the studio I've called home for so many years," said Winfrey, who has announced her final show will be on May 25, ending her 25-year run as the queen of daytime talk. Winfrey's OWN cable television network debuted January 1 in around 80 million homes, and the media mogul will focus on it. A comedian, actress, author, and activist, O'Donnell, 49, won six Daytime Emmy awards for her syndicated TV talk show that ran from 1996 to 2002. "Harpo is a world class studio and I can't wait to do my show from Chicago," O'Donnell said in a statement. "It's a dream come true." O'Donnell currently hosts a two-hour radio show,
attempt to get aid into Darfur." Clooney and Canalis are among an illustrious list of trial witnesses made public on Tuesday, featuring well-known Italian television presenters, actors, journalists and politicians. Four government ministers, including Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Equal Opportunities Minister Mara Carfagna, a former topless model, have been called to testify. Berlusconi denies ever paying for sex and says his parties were normal, "convivial" dinners.
"Rosie Radio," on Sirius XM Radio. She squabbled with co-host Barbara Walters during a brief stint on ABC's "The View," on which she appeared after Meredith Vieira left the show and before Whoopi Goldberg joined. Besides producing "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Harpo Studios helped develop the programs "Dr. Phil" and "Rachael Ray," and the studio also produces "The Dr. Oz Show" and "The Nate Berkus Show." "Speaking from experience, she will be working with the best team in television in one of the greatest cities in the world," Winfrey said. A new set will be built for O'Donnell while some elements of Winfrey's stage will go to the Smithsonian Institution, the studio said. There has been concern in Chicago about the fate of Harpo's studios and employees who do not join Winfrey in California at OWN.
Larry King
Larry King is still adjusting to his new life off camera. “There are days, when you have a terrible thing, like Japan happening, Libya, the events in Egypt, you want to be there,” the talk show legend told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Thursday’s Access Hollywood Live. “The Kardashians, you could miss that one,” he continued. As for his replacement, Piers Morgan, King has mixed emotions about his successor’s show. “It’s like watching your mother-inlaw go over a cliff in your new Bentley,” he said of CNN’s replacement show, “Piers Morgan Tonight.” King is not dwelling on the past though, in fact, he’s already talking to Jon Stewart about possibly appearing on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” “Jon Stewart called me — I don’t know if I’m a correspondent — he said, ‘How would you like to be on like every two weeks?’” King told Bush and Hoover. “I’d do my old column. I used to write for USA Today, where I gave extemporaneous thoughts just as they occurred.”
KFWS • MindGym March 28, 2011
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March 28, 2011
King Features Weekly Service
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) It isn’t always easy for the rambunctious Aries to give a second thought to their often spur-of-the-moment choices. But aspects favor rechecking a decision before declaring it final. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Information emerges for the business-driven Bovine who feels ready to restart a stalled project. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed at any time during the process. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Part of you wants to complete plans for an upcoming event, while your other self wants to see how things develop first. Compromise by moving ahead with your plans while being open to change. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) An unexpected change in a relationship could open up a problem or could lead to a much-needed and toolong-delayed reassessment of a number of matters. The choice is yours to make. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Time for the Lion to total the plusses and minuses resulting from recent personal and/or professional decisions. See what worked, what didn’t and why, and base your next big move on the results. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The clever Virgo can make persuasion work by presenting a case built on hard facts. Sentiment might touch the heart, but it’s good, solid information that invariably wins the day. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You usually can win over the most stub-
King Features Weekly Service
March 28, 2011
PLANNING PROVIDES THE ANSWER
The question of whether or not to draw trumps immediately has no pat answer. The solution depends entirely on what declarer needs to do to eliminate his excess losers. In general, if declarer has enough tricks in the side suits to assure his contract, trumps should be drawn at once. But—13— if declarer plans to trump his losers, or if tackling trumps will give the defense a leg up in the timing, it may be best to delay drawing them. Today’s hand illustrates the type of thinking that goes into determining declarer’s best course of action. South is in four hearts, and West leads a spade, taken by South with the ace. How should he proceed?
—15—
born skeptics on your own. But this time you can benefit from supporters who have been there, done that and are willing to speak up on your behalf. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You win admiration for your determination to do the right thing. Don’t be distracted from that course, despite the offer of tempting alternatives that might suddenly turn up. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) While you still need to maintain control of a dominant situation, a new development emerges, making the task easier and the outcome potentially more rewarding. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) New factors might have a positive effect on a still-pending matter, but only if the information proves to be credible. Trusted colleagues might be able to offer needed advice. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) The week favors moderation, especially if a health problem is involved. Resist the impulse to do more than might be good for you at this time. You can catch up later. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You could feel more than a mite upset by someone or some people who might be creating problems for you. Find out why they won’t change their ways. Their reasons might surprise you. BORN THIS WEEK: You know how to inspire others to do their best by setting a persuasive example of your own.
• tor ma obs mis kno thin day Inc up the hie ten inc • cal the em scr wit the sur • ter bre • pric for a F auc mil one are els. • thin drin era
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.
In the great majority of hands where declarer is missing the A-K of trumps, his first step should be to eliminate the opposing trumps as quickly as possible. But that would be suicidal in the actual case. If South leads a trump at trick two, he is virtually certain to lose four tricks and go down one. Let’s say East takes the first heart with the king. He returns a second spade, establishing a spade trick for the defense. No matter how declarer continues from here, he must lose two trumps, a diamond and a spade. South’s only real hope is to somehow avoid the spade loser. To do this, he must immediately establish an extra diamond trick in dummy. Accordingly, he leads the queen of diamonds at trick two. West does best to duck the first diamond, but he is fighting a losing battle. After taking the second diamond with the ace, he returns a spade to declarer’s king, but South is now in full control. He leads the jack of clubs to dummy’s queen and deposits his losing spade on the king of diamonds. Trumps can then be drawn in comfort, and South finishes with 10 tricks. © 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.
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ke mat it es he
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ts ly s, m er n k5, 5, e-
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Barbadian and Jamaican officials meeting to resolve finger raping allegations
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
Claims by a Jamaican woman that she was finger-raped by Barbadian airport officials after she was ordered to be deported, have cast a dark cloud over the traditionally close relations which those two countries have enjoyed for many years. The Jamaican, Shanique Myrie, said she was subjected to a vaginal search at the Grantley Adams International Airport by an immigration officer who, she claimed, also made discriminatory remarks about Jamaicans. The matter has reached the point where high level delegations from Barbados and Jamaica have had to meet to investigate her claims which have been categorically denied by Barbadian officials and staunchly defended by Myrie. Myrie claims a female immigration officer told her to spread her legs then proceeded to perform a cavity search while saying, 'All you (expletive) Jamaicans come here to do is either steal people's man or bring drugs here.” Barbados Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, with responsibility for Immigration, Senator Harry Husbands claimed there was no record of Myrie being searched by either immigration or customs officers and alleged that the Jamaican was a victim of human trafficking. He said: “Shanique Myrie, on arrival in Barbados, claimed she would have been staying with a female resident, but a closer investigation however revealed she was actually staying with a Barbadian man who actually facilitates the entry of nonnationals into the island.” According to the Barbados Nation newspaper, senior government ministers in Jamaica have called for further investigations into the alleged incident – despite a statement from Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Shanique Myrie said she was finger-raped by Barbados immigration officials
Maxine McClean that a thorough investigation had already been carried out that showed nothing of the sort had taken place. Meantime, in response to Husbands’ statement, Myrie told the Jamaica Observer: “I am going to sue them.” She insisted that she was “defiled” by the Barbadian authorities at the Grantley Adams International Airport on March 14. I am not lying. They humiliated me and searched me like I was an animal. They can carry me back to the Barbados airport and I can show you every room they took me into. I can identify the woman who defiled me. They are the ones who are lying,” she told the Sunday Observer. In her interview published in the Daily Observer on March 24, Myrie said: “The lady took me into a bathroom and told me to take off my clothes. I did as requested. After searching me and my clothes, she found no contraband or narcotics. She then asked me to bend over, open my legs and spread [my private parts]. She said that if I did not comply then she would see that I end up in prison in Barbados.
When I bent over and spread my [private parts] I felt something enter my [private parts] and when I looked between my legs I saw her gloved hand in my [private parts]. I screamed and stood up. She then told me if I obstructed her doing a cavity search she would have me locked up. I bent over again and spread. She again inserted her fingers and poked around. I felt like I was being raped. I was so hurt and ashamed. I felt dirty and defiled, I don’t even know if the gloves she used was clean or had been used on somebody else,” she said. Myrie also denied Husbands’ claim that she was a human trafficking victim. “I went to visit Mrs Pamella Clarke. When I arrived at the airport they asked me who I came to and I gave them her number. They called her and she told them she wasn’t feeling well and had sent a man called Daniel to pick me up. They asked me about Daniel and I told them I did not know him. I have no reason to lie. They are the ones that are lying,” she said. Myrie said she was locked in a room with another woman whom the Sunday Observer contacted yesterday. The woman, Rickrisha Rowe, said Myrie cried all night as she recounted her ordeal. “I saw her being carried up and down by a man and a lady. She was crying when she came into the room and she told me what they did to her,” said Rowe. “She said they stripped her two times and that the woman was squeezing her breasts as if she could cut her skin and put something inside them. She said they made her bend down and spread,” said Rowe, who revealed that she was also denied entry into the island because she had overstayed on a previous visit. She agreed that the conditions in the cramped room were deplorable.
Former FNM MP Branville McCartney in talks with BDM and NDP BAHAMAS- MP Branville McCartney is in talks with fringe political party leaders as he considers forming his own party to challenge the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) in the next general election. According to The Nassau Guardian, Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) leader Cassius Stuart and National Development Party (NDP) deputy leader Lynden Nairn both confirmed that they had been invited to McCartney’s home last night where discussions were set to take place. While Nairn said he planned to attend, Stuart said he had another engagement and planned to send Jermaine Higgs, the former chairman of the BDM who was the party’s candidate in South Beach in 2007. “If we are to be swallowed up, considering our history and who we are it would be wise to join
forces with an organization that is stronger [than the BDM],” said Stuart, noting that the BDM was formed 11 years ago. Asked whether he believes joining forces with McCartney would make the BDM stronger, he said, “Bran doesn’t have an organization (yet).” Stuart said the BDM has to make a calculated decision on its way forward. The BDM fielded candidates in both the 2002 and 2007 general elections, and Stuart was its candidate in the Elizabeth bye-election last year but the party has never won a seat in Parliament. Stuart told The Guardian the BDM would have to consider finances, whether people are really committed to a third party and the quality of candidates that would be fielded by the new party McCartney intends to form. McCartney resigned from the Free National
Page 33 “I was locked in the room for over 12 hours. There was dirty toilet paper stuck on the wall and the place was filthy. You wouldn’t want to lean up anywhere. The bed was small with board and a raw sponge. In addition, the place was freezing. It was very cold, don’t care what you put on,” Rowe said. Both women claimed they were herded out of the room minutes before the flight back to Jamaica and were told they would only have time to wash their faces and brush their teeth. Myrie’s claim sparked outrage in Jamaica and abroad and Public Defender Earl Witter has been mandated by Security Minister Dwight Nelson to investigate the incident. Witter is scheduled to meet with Myrie this week Three more Jamaican men have come forward with allegations of abuse. Andre Davis, Jermaine Blake and Chevine Edwards — partners in the artiste management and music production company, Dajavu Records Andre Davis, Jermaine Blake and Chevine Edwards — partners in the artiste management and music production company, Dajavu Records, said they went to secure a booking date for Jamaican artiste Junior Reid and promote fledging entertainer Defranco but were physically abused and threatened by Barbadian police and humiliated by that country's immigration officers after being denied entry on March 20, 2011. The three said they were punched, slammed into a wall, stored in a cold dirty room and threatened with physical violence if they did not co-operate. The Jamaican and Bajan governments continue to investigate the matter as well as other complaints that have surfaced about other mistreatments According to the Barbadian foreign ministry, some 404 Jamaicans were refused entry out of a total of 18,227 in 2008 while 218 were refused entry out of a total of 14,952 the following year. Last year, 229 Jamaican nationals were refused entry out of a total of 17,900.
Movement last week Monday, a year after he resigned from the Ingraham Cabinet. The Guardian recently reported that he is looking to form another political party. It is understood that he is seeking wide support in various quarters. “I am hoping that we can find a way to come together in order to rescue our country from [this mess] we find ourselves in,” Nairn told The Guardian ahead of the meeting with McCartney. “...We still have not been able to grasp the real concept of ownership of our economy. More important than that we have a set of social conditions in our country that are grossly unacceptable. “We have thousands of our young men in particular who are without direction and we have been ignoring them and really, quite frankly, to our own peril.” The Guardian also understands that McCartney may be interested in forming some sort of alliance with attorney and activist John Bostwick, but Bostwick stressed yesterday that he and McCartney never came to any arrangements relative to a new political party.
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PM Hubert Ingraham says Bahamians must come to terms with BTC sale
CARIBBEAN NEWS
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told members of the media Friday that Bahamians must come to terms with the sale of 51 percent of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC), which is nearing full completion. Ingraham, during a press conference at the Churchill building, was asked about his relationship with union leaders since Parliament approved the sale of BTC. The unions have protested against the sale of BTC to CWC and have instead agitated for the company to be sold to Bahamians. Ingraham said he is still willing to have conversations with union leaders despite the “abuse” levied on him. “I have always been willing to talk to them,” he said. “I don't take these things personally notwithstanding the abuse which people heap up on me personally.”
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Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
Ingraham suggested that the leadership of both the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union and the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union forge a relationship with CWC
now that the deal is almost fully complete. He said CWC management could take office on April 4 or shortly thereafter. “I would be happy to talk to the union leadership and I encourage them to talk with Cable and Wireless, to talk to their employers to be, to see the extent to which they can develop understandings even before the sale actually goes through,” he said. “That just makes sense. There is no point being angry with anybody.” The unions promised not to stop their protests until the sale of BTC to CWC was dead in the water. They have held several protests and rallies to gather the support of the Bahamian public. However, Ingraham said he is confident that the majority of Bahamians support the sale of BTC to CWC. “I was absolutely satisfied that I had the support of the Bahamian people
Preliminary results of Haitian elections to be delayed
Haiti elections officials are delaying the announcement of the preliminary results of the presidential and legislative elections until Monday. The preliminary results for the March 20 runoff presidential elections were due on Thursday. But elections officials released a communique on Tuesday which said the volume and verification of the vote required that the announcement be delayed by four days. The election pitted popular singer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, against former first lady Mirlande Manigat In the first round, only about 10% of the tally sheets were inspected. Now, more than 15,200 or 60% of all the tally sheets that arrived in the voting tabulation center following the runoff have been set aside for inspection of fraud. The communique added that because of this, the verification process by the lawyers is much larger and more complex and longer for each tally sheet, particularly for those regarding the presidential elections. In the meantime, the Joint Organization of American States (OAS) - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Electoral Observation Mission (JEOM) Tuesday said it would maintain its presence in the 11 electoral departments of Haiti until the proclamation of the final results on April 16. In a statement, JEOM said that its observers have been present in the Vote Tabulation Centre (CTV) on a 24 hour basis since this phase began on March 21, following the second and final round of the presidential and legislative council elections the previous day. “The observers are monitoring the new procedures put in place for the processing of the result sheets and the application of criteria for verification to ensure the integrity and transparency of the tabulation process,” the JEOM said. It said the strengthening of the capacity of the Legal Control Unit (UCL), which has now 16 lawyers whose task is to determine the validity of the
result sheets brought to their attention. JEOM said that unlike the first round elections last November, a greater amount of result sheets have been sent to the UCL and that it was reminding “all actors involved in this process and the Haitian citizens that it is essential that a rigorous and consistent verification be done in strict compliance with the criteria established and published by the CEP. This will lead to the publication of reliable preliminary results” The JEOM said that it was also concerned about the statements made by presidential and legislative candidates campaign teams and allies on the voting trends of the March 20 election. It warned that “premature announcements of victory are harmful to public order and the smooth unfolding of the electoral process by creating expectations among their supporters that might not be founded. It said it understands the candidates’s eagerness to know the results. However, it wishes to point out to the two presidential candidates in particular that “one of them will be elected President of the Republic and, as such, will be responsible for the proper functioning of institutions and the maintenance of public order. “They should therefore demonstrate as of now the sense of responsibility they will have to display when taking the helm of the affairs of the Republic by appealing to their teams and supporters to await the publication of the preliminary results to avoid creating false expectations and to respect the verdict of the ballot box.” The JEOm said it also deplores the acts of intimidation that have taken place since the elections and that are the result of tensions between the legislative candidates in some localities. It called on “all political leaders, political groups and their supporters to contribute to the maintenance of a calm and peaceful atmosphere as they await the publication of the preliminary results of the presidential and legislative elections”.
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and the steps I was taking (would) better things for them, improve services, reduce costs for them, and that notwithstanding the opposition of the PLP (Progressive Liberal Party) and the unions to what we were seeking to do, at the end of the day we will prevail and we did,” he said. “The competent authority of The Bahamas acting for, on behalf of and in the name of the Bahamian people, have approved the privatization of BTC and the sale of 51 percent of the shares to Cable and Wireless, and have committed to making available to the Bahamian public nine percent of those shares before the end of this year, and to make it up to 25 percent over a period of time.” Ingraham said that BTC will not undergo a name change. He insisted that it is Bahamian company and restated that there will be certain things CWC will have to get government approval for.
Beauty expert lashes eyelash extension craze JENNIFER Samuda, director of Jencare Skin Farm and one of Jamaica’s leading beauty experts, yesterday lashed the eyelash extension craze among Jamaican women, and warned that the use of Krazy Glue and similar adhesive substances on the eyelid could damage the eyes. “They are using Krazy Glue. It is one of the most dangerous acts,” said Samuda, who was one of seven beauty and wellness experts at yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange. “I will tell anyone who wants to put on the lashes fine, but that glue and any glue it can detach your retina. There is no glue that can be natural for your eyes. It is a dangerous act. A dangerous act.” Fake lashes or eye-weave have grown in popularity recently, with persons referring to these long lashes as ‘awning for the eyes’. Krazy Glue, the popular super glue introduced to the North American market in 1973, is among the adhesives used by persons performing eyelash extensions. However, the company has warned that the product will bond eyelids instantly and cause eye irritation. It recommended flushing the eye with water only for 15 minutes, followed by medical treatment, if the glue makes contact with the eye. “Get medical attention. Do not use any solvents to flush the eye and its surroundings. Liquid glue will sting eye temporarily. Solidified glue may irritate eye like a grain of sand and should be treated by an eye doctor,” the company’s website added.
Former President Jimmy Carter slams US policy towards Cuba
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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
HAVANA, Cuba - Former U.S. Castro gave him to visit Cuba President Jimmy Carter criticized again. today in Havana the U.S. Carter, 86 and 39th president Government’s policy toward Cuba of the United States, arrived in and said he was satisfied with his Havana last Monday and visited meeting with Cuban Revolution several places of historical leader Fidel Castro. At a press interest, and held meetings with conference at the Havana’s Cuban authorities. Convention Center, Carter slammed This was the second time that the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which Carter visited Havana. reinforced the US economic, The first visit took place in commercial and financial blockade May, 2002, which turned him into against Cuba, and the unjust the first former or sitting US imprisonment of the five Cuban President to travel to Cuba after antiterrorists in the US since 1998. the triumph of the Revolution in The “embargo,” he said referring to 1959. the blockade, “is counterproductive Cuban President Raul Castro and only punishes the Cuban people.” saw former US President James Carter reminded the audience Carter and his accompanying Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter that the Helms-Burton Act was delegation off at the Jose Marti passed after his term in office (1977-1981). He also Airport on Wednesday, after his three-day private visit said it was a mistake to keep Cuba on the list of to the island. countries sponsoring terrorism. Once Carter got on the airplane, Raul was “It is untrue that Cuba collaborates with approached by the press to know his opinion on the terrorism,” he said, calling it unreal. stay of the former head of state. He described the visit The former US president described as unfair the as being good addind that he considered Carter an sentences imposed upon Gerardo Hernández, honest man. Fernando González, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Raul reiterated Cuba’s willingness to talk with the Guerrero and René González —internationally known US government on any issue, but on an equal footing, as the Cuban Five—, and said he was satisfied to have without conditions and with absolute respect for met with the mothers of two of them and the wives of Cuba’s independence and sovereignty. three. Raul added that Carter spoke with Commander in He wished for the Cuban Five’s prompt return “to Chief Fidel Castro for an hour on different topics of their homes in Cuba.” interest for the two nations. Carter said he was pleased by the good health of Also present in the farewell were Foreign Minister Fidel and the opportunity Cuban President Raul Bruno Rodriguez and other authorities.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
ST LUCIA OPPOSITION NAMES FOUR WOMEN AMONG FULL SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS CASTRIES, St Lucia, – The main opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) Monday said it had completed its slate of candidates for the general election that Prime Minister Stephenson King said would be held later this year. The SLP said that it had also included four women among the 17 candidates hoping to regain the government that it lost when it was trounced by the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) in the 2006 general election. The SLP led by former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said that the inclusion of the four women candidates will be “the most ever by a political party in St. Lucia” and that they will be presented to supporters at a “Women Power Ceremony” on April 10. “The women of St. Lucia can rest assured that their issues and interests will be well represented in a new St. Lucia Labour Party Government,” the SLP said in its statement. Prime Minister King has not given a date for the polls that are constitutionally due by March next year, but said recently that the elections will take place in 2011. The UWP won 11 of the 17 seats in the last election under then party leader Sir John Compton, whose death in 2007 resulted in a by-election for the Micoud North constituency that was won by his daughter, Jeanine, who has since resigned from the party and sits as an independent in the Parliament.
$78M so far for Dudus/Manatt Enquiry in Jamaica
The Jamaica Government has disclosed that $78 million has so far been allocated to compensate lawyers and the three Commissioners at the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry. Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who made the disclosure in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon, stated that the final cost of the Commission of Enquiry cannot be determined until the Commissioners conclude their work in May. The Golding-led Government had initially approved a budget of $37 million to cover legal bills as well as to compensate the three-member Commission headed by Queens Counsel (Q.C) Emil George. However, during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Mr. Golding said the cost to maintain the Enquiry was ballooning because of extensions that had been granted to complete the work of the Commission. The Prime Minister told the House that so far, more than $20 million had been added to the original budget. "It is estimated that costs to date amount to approximately $33 million (but) given that the deadline for the completion of the enquiry, which was originally set for February, has twice been extended, the last such extension being to May 16, 2011, it is estimated that the additional cost will be in the region of $21 million." Mr. Golding added that Cabinet has approved just over $24 million to pay for the lawyers representing several public
officials pushing the estimated cost for the Enquiry to $78 million. Mr. Golding, who is being represented by Hugh Small Q.C. at the Commission, told Gordon House that he has taken a personal decision to pay his legal fees out of his pocket. On Wednesday, verbal spats between Prime Minister Bruce Golding and attorney representing the People's National Party KD Knight highlighted the sitting of the Dudus/Manatt commission of enquiry. The fierce exchange of words, which saw boisterous Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters getting involved, came to a head when Knight suggested that Golding was weaving a web of deceit. Knight was referring to Golding's earlier testimony that he meant that Liguanea, the location of the United States embassy in Jamaica, was the new line of demarcation between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. "I suggest to you that when you spoke of Liguanea as the mark of demarcation you were being deceptive," Knight said. "...This is the only forum where I have to tolerate this rudeness from Mr Knight," Golding shot back. At that point JLP supporters began shouting jeers at Knight and Commissioner Emil George, called for a lunch break. Golding's attorney Hugh Small, then rushed over to the area where Golding was sitting flanked by Labour Minister
Pearnel Charles and member of parliament Andrew Gallimore with his arms outstretched in an attempt to calm the boisterous party faithfuls. Another blow-up between Prime Minister Bruce Golding and KD Knight, resulted in a temporary adjournment during the afternoon session. Chairman Emil George said that the adjournment was "necessary to cool off". The tension between the two men started to flare shortly after the resumption of proceedings following the luncheon adjournment. At that time, the Prime Minister accused Knight of being rude and of wrongfully accusing him of hiding behind a standing order of Parliament so as not to answer his questions. The pair also had another spat between the unrelated Trafigura issue. This after Knight had made a reference to Golding's comment during the proceedings about "which skin Colin Campbell was in", during the former PNP minister's involvement with Trafigura. In response, Knight asked the prime minister, "which skin he was in" when answering in Parliament to questions posed over the Dudus/Manatt issue. Golding's attorney, Hugh Small, objected to the question and the prime minister said that he would not answer because he found the remark to be "impertinent". The prime minister then told Knight, "How yu so hard of hearing? I am not going to answer that question."
Proceedings went downhill from then on. George then made the temporary adjournment. Knight remarked that that it was not him who needed 'cooling off'. Under cross examination, prime minister Golding heatedly rejected Knight’s suggestions that he dropped opposition to extraditing Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to the United States only because growing public anger became a threat to his political career. Golding said his career was "insignificant" and his only concern was the constitutional rights of Jamaican citizens. Pressed by Knight, Golding declined to say whether the term “Jamaican Citizens” included Dudus Coke. Golding opposed the extradition of the alleged gang leader with close ties to the governing party for nine months by arguing the US request was based on illegal wiretaps. "I was prepared to put my political career on the line in defence of the constitution of Jamaica and the rights that are guaranteed under that constitution to every citizen of Jamaica," he testified. Opposition lawyer KD Knight sought to highlight inconsistencies in Golding's account of the case and insisted the prime minister's career was at the crux of the government's actions, accusing him of corruption and a "web of deception."
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Cayman Islands shrinking population needs to be addressed, says Premier
CARIBBEAN NEWS
Cayman’s overall population shrank in the past two years, despite earlier projections that it would grow during that time, according to Premier McKeeva Bush. The drop off needs to be addressed soon, Mr. Bush said last week in a statement about the 2010 Census preliminary population figures. “This population downtrend has the potential to negatively impact local economic activity and is…a matter of serious concern,” he said in a prepared statement released Thursday. “The new census results accordingly compel government to continue pushing for policies that will promote sustainable population growth in the Cayman
Islands. “While we do not want a runaway population spiral, what we do need is sustainable growth that can spur healthy local economic growth.” Growth is certainly what Cayman has seen since the last census in 1999, when the country’s population stood at just more than 39,000, to late last year when it was counted at 54,878 people. That’s a 39 per cent increase in 11 years. But that growth hit a decline after 2008, according to figures from the government’s Economics and Statistics Office. Cayman’s population hit a peak of about 57,000 in the fall of 2008, and then dropped to just below 53,000 in the latter half of 2009.
Bermuda Cabinet Ministers receiving hefty salaries and benefits
The benefits enjoyed by Cabinet Ministers on top of their six-figure salaries include use of a car, health insurance, a pension, a parking space at Sessions House and a credit card. Premier Paula Cox’s press secretary told The Royal Gazette she couldn’t provide a monetary figure for how much the total package of benefits was worth. “There is no figure for total compensation,” she said. “As to benefits, all members of the Legislature are entitled to participate in [the] Government employment health insurance scheme, as well as the Ministers and Members of the Legislature pensions fund. “Members do not receive expense allowances and Ministers are afforded cars.” She said Ministers were issued credit cards that were governed according to Government’s Financial Instructions. “They are subject to the standard audit process of the Government,” she added. As previously reported, the Premier and Finance Minister is the highest paid Cabinet member, on an annual salary of $224,092. She has use of GP1, a BMW 750Li, the same make of car used by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who earns $231,800. Deputy Premier and Public Works Minister Derrick Burgess picks up $181,514 and is believed to use GP2, a Toyota Camry. Attorney General Michael Scott earns $193,786 and the other full-time Ministers and MPs, Dame Jennifer Smith, Terry Lister, Zane DeSilva, Neletha Butterfield, Walter Roban, Glenn Blakeney and Michael Weeks, each receive $168,069. Full-time Ministers and Senators David Burch and Kim Wilson get $142,413 a year. Part-time Minister Patrice Minors, who is responsible for Business Development and Tourism, picks up $112,046. All Ministers get a GP car though Government has never provided a definitive list of who uses which vehicle in the official fleet. Louise Jackson, who earns $56,023 as an Opposition MP, claimed earlier this month that charities missed out in the 2011/12 Budget, while Government Ministers kept their “bloated salaries” and got to drive around in big cars and go on trips. Her UBP colleague Jeanne Atherden later called for Ministers to lead by example and take a pay cut. A higher salary, a car and a credit card are thought to be the main additional perks enjoyed by Ministers, as all MPs and Senators get health insurance, a defined benefits pension plan and a parking space in Hamilton. In December, the average pension benefit for retired MPs and Ministers rose by four percent to $35,857 a year, or $2,988 a month. Economist Robert Stewart criticised the increase at the time, arguing legislators already got the best pensions of any public servants. “They ask everybody to sacrifice and then help themselves to the biggest slice of the cake,” he claimed. Ms Cox pledged a review of pensions but told the House of Assembly MPs were not as well paid as some people thought and many relied on their pensions when they retired
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A year later the Census 2010 count had Cayman growing again to just below 55,000 people. However, there was evidence earlier in the decade that statistics office population counts – which were based on representative sample surveys actually understated how many people lived here. The government’s official estimate from the Economics and Statistics Office for fall 2008 said just more than 57,000 people called Cayman home. That figure included 31,858 Caymanians and 25,152 non-Caymanians. Available immigration data compiled by the Compass at the same time showed there were more than 29,000 non-Caymanians living on the islands. That included some 20,934 people here on work permits, including temporary work permits, another 3,260 people who were working without a permit or contract as an operation of the law, some 1,348 people were working in Cayman on government contracts, plus 2,865 dependents of work permit holders living in Cayman. The Legislative Assembly was also told earlier in 2008 that 689 permanent residence applications had been approved since May 2005. Those figures add up to 29,096 nonCaymanians, and do not include the full count of permanent resident non-
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Premier McKeeva Bush
Caymanians, students or all spouses of non-Caymanians. According to the newspaper’s count it is possible more than 62,000 people were residing in Cayman during 2008. Whatever the true population number, Mr. Bush said it was clear there had been a recent decline. Also, he noted growth in the local districts was fairly uneven. For instance, Bodden Town’s population nearly doubled in the last decade while Cayman Brac and Little Cayman had grown very little. “The relatively slow population growth in the Sister Islands must also be addressed,” Mr. Bush said. “We don’t want some districts to be left behind…otherwise our progress will not be meaningful.” Mr. Bush said the more in-depth census count, due out in October, would help guide his government’s decisionmaking in promoting balanced growth across the country.
Bermuda Minister says visiting UK MP was ‘disrespectful’
National Security Minister David Burch called statements by British MP Andrew Rosindell disrespectful, saying the Conservative backbencher didn’t have the right to dictate policy. Speaking at the close of the motion to adjourn in the Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Burch said: “You’re a backbencher and you come from Britain for the first time in your life and you want to tell Bermuda what to do? “It’s disrespectful and I’m not going to take it. I want to record my objections.” Mr Rosindell, a backbencher with the Conservative Party that took power in Britain as part of a coalition government last May, visited the Island in February. British MP Andrew Rosindell During his stay Mr Rosindell, the chairman of the British Overseas Territories Parliamentary Group, met with Premier Paula Cox. Speaking with The Royal Gazette, Mr Rosindell said the Premier was cynical about a change in the relationship or attitude in the new British Government towards Overseas Territories. He said: “She told me she was cynical because in the past British governments haven’t always lived up to expectations.” On Wednesday, Sen. Burch called it a “breach of protocol” for the MP to describe the Premier as cynical to the press so soon after the meeting. “I would suspect he had what I would call a ‘come to Jesus’ talk with his colleagues when he got back, how you can’t come to foreign countries and dictate policy. “I could put him on the stop list you know. I won’t.”
Obama authorizes secret help for Libya rebels
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, government officials told Reuters on Wednesday. Obama signed the order, known as a presidential "finding", within the last two or three weeks, according to government sources familiar with the matter. Such findings are a principal form of presidential directive used to authorize secret operations by the Central Intelligence Agency. This is a necessary legal step before such action can take place but does not mean that it will. As is common practice for this and all administrations, I am not going to comment on intelligence matters," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. "I will reiterate what the president said yesterday -- no decision has been made about providing arms to the opposition or to any group in Libya." The CIA declined comment. News that Obama had given the authorization surfaced as the President and other U.S. and allied officials spoke openly about the possibility of sending arms supplies to Gaddafi's opponents, who are fighting better-equipped
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Libyan rebels riding at the back of armed pickup trucks while retreating back east, at the outskirts of al-Agila, Libya on Wednesday.
government forces. The United States is part of a coalition, with NATO members and some Arab states, which is conducting air strikes on Libyan government forces under a U.N. mandate aimed at protecting civilians opposing Gaddafi. Interviews by U.S. networks on Tuesday, Obama said the objective was for Gaddafi to "ultimately step down"
from power. He spoke of applying "steady pressure, not only militarily but also through these other means" to force Gaddafi out. Obama said the U.S. had not ruled out providing military hardware to rebels. "It's fair to say that if we wanted to get weapons into Libya, we probably could. We're looking at all our options at this point," he told ABC News anchor Diane
Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa defects to Britain
Moussa Koussa flew into Britain Thursday and told officials he was "no longer willing" to serve the regime, in a significant blow to the dictator. The move was welcomed in Whitehall where fears have been growing that poorly organised Libyan rebels cannot defeat Gaddafi without being given arms or training on the ground. "We encourage those around Gaddafi to abandon him and embrace a better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people," a Foreign Office spokesman said. David Cameron had earlier admitted that the Government was considering arming the rebels following talks in London with Libyan opposition leaders. Rebel forces were forced to retreat again and surrendered several towns in the face of heavy resistance from troops loyal to the regime. However, there are fears that any move to provide arms could lead to "mission creep", dragging Western ground forces into the civil war. It also emerged that: Five Libyan diplomats were expelled from Britain amid concern they could pose a threat to national security; Senior defence sources disclosed that British and American forces had destroyed more than 40 Libyan arms dumps and "chopped the legs off" Gaddafi's supply route; Uganda announced that it was prepared to offer the Libyan leader exile under an Italian plan to remove him; The UN or EU may ultimately have to send a humanitarian force to help civilians in rebel–held areas. The British and other governments are increasingly
worried that rebel troops will not be able to advance on Tripoli or other Libyan cities without external help. Mr Koussa's defection holds out hope that the regime might still crack from the inside, relieving the pressure for further military measures. Mr Koussa flew from Tunisia, where he had been on a diplomatic mission, to Farnborough airport before being shuttled to London for immediate talks with high–ranking Foreign Office officials. A close confidant of Gaddafi for 30 years, he was linked by intelligence sources to the Lockerbie bombing and played a lead role in securing the release of the bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al–Megrahi. Yesterday, senior defence officials said there was "more to do" to prevent further loss of civilian lives but reiterated that no British ground troops would be used. A chaotic picture emerged on the ground where the Gaddafi regime ambushed rebels outside the leader's home town of Sirte, precipitating a disorderly retreat as far as Ajdabiyah. Profile Regime's chief fingernail puller' Moussa Koussa, 61, took a sociology degree at Michigan State University. He was appointed ambassador to Britain in 1980 but expelled for threatening to kill opponents. He was accused of organising terrorism on his return to Libya where he headed the Libyan spy agency from 1994 and was described by a senior figure in George W Bush's administration as "chief fingernail puller". He has been named as the possible architect of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, but brokered Libya's promise to give up weapons of mass destruction in 2003 and was made foreign minister in 2009.
Sawyer. In Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted to reporters that no decision had yet been taken. U.S. officials monitoring events in Libya say neither Gaddafi's forces nor the rebels, who have asked the West for heavy weapons, now appear able to make decisive gains. While U.S. and allied airstrikes have seriously damaged Gaddafi's military forces and disrupted his chain of command, officials say, rebel forces remain disorganized and unable to take full advantage of western military support. People familiar with U.S. intelligence procedures said that Presidential covert action "findings" are normally crafted to provide broad authorization for a range of potential U.S. government actions to support a particular covert objective. In order for specific operations to be carried out under the provisions of such a broad authorization -- for example the delivery of cash or weapons to antiGaddafi forces -- the White House also would have to give additional "permission" allowing such activities to proceed.
BRONX ZOO'S MISSING EGYPTIAN COBRA FOUND
The Bronx Zoo's missing deadly Egyptian cobra has been found "alive and well". The 20in (50cm) venomous snake was discovered in the zoo's reptile house on Thursday morning, nearly a week after it escaped. Officials say the cobra was coiled in a dark corner of the reptile house and that it is in good health. The zoo's reptile house has been closed since the snake went missing last Friday but officials say they hope to reopen it soon. "When we are certain that the snake is in good condition, we will reopen the Reptile House and plan to have the animal on exhibit," a statement by the zoo said. The zoo spread the good news via Twitter, saying: "FOUND! Bronx Zoo cobra found alive & well in Reptile House in non-public area. The key was patience." Zoo officials had earlier said they were confident the adolescent Egyptian cobra was hiding in a non-public area of the Reptile House but conceded that finding it would be difficult. In the days that it was missing, the snake became something of a celebrity, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers on a Twitter account set up in its name.
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Canadian government falls after no-confidence vote WORLD NEWS
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government has fallen after a no-confidence vote passed in the country's parliament. The vote, engineered by the opposition Liberal Party and backed by two other opposition parties, triggers an election expected in early May. The move stemmed from a ruling on Monday that the minority government was in contempt of parliament. But the Conservatives are thought likely to keep power in a May election. The House of Commons adjourned on Friday after the no-confidence motion brought by Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff passed on a 156-145 vote. The vote came after a finding by a parliamentary committee led by the opposition parties that Mr Harper's government had acted in contempt by failing to disclose the full costs of spending on anti-crime programmes, corporate tax cuts and plans to purchase stealth fighter jets. On Saturday, Mr Harper will ask Governor General David Johnston to dissolve parliament, and following that, an election will be held after a minimum 36 days of campaigning. Canadian analysts expect it will be called for the first week in May. Nobody was surprised by the result
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
of the confidence vote, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto. Having led two minority governments, Mr Harper is hoping this time his party will win a majority at the ballot box, our correspondent says. The state of the recovering Canadian economy, along with ethics and accountability, are expected to be the main election issues, he adds. “We want to form an alternative to the Harper government that respects democracy, that respects our institutions, that respects Canadian citizens” End Quote Michael Ignatieff
Zimbabwe’s MDC celebrates victory
Zimbabwean MPs have re-elected a close ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as the speaker of parliament after his 2008 election was nullified. Lovemore Moyo from the MDC party took 105 votes, defeating a candidate from President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party who took 93 votes. The vote in the hung parliament was controversial following allegations of bribery and the arrest of some MDC MPs. Zanu-PF party and the MDC formed a unity government two years ago. But tension is again rising ahead of possible elections this year. Human Rights Watch has urged regional leaders to press Zanu-PF to end what the US-based group regards as the harassment and the arbitrary arrests of political opponents. The call comes ahead of a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) meeting on Thursday. "As Zimbabwe prepares for elections, Zanu-PF and the security forces are again harassing human rights activists and MDC members," Daniel Bekele, the rights group's Africa director, said in a statement. "SADC leaders should no longer just stand by and watch as the situation in the country deteriorates." The speaker position is highly influential - especially in the power-sharing arrangement - exercising control over the legislative process, he says. Hours before the vote, five MDC MPs said they had received bribes of $5,000 (£3,000) each from a senior Zanu-PF official. They handed over cash to an MDC official who displayed it at a press conference, saying they had been given the money to vote for Zanu-PF's candidate. Meanwhile Elton Mangoma, the MDC energy minister in the coalition government, who was arrested this month on charges of corruption, was granted bail before the vote but state prosecutors refused to release him. With one spoilt ballot paper and Mr Moyo's victory by 12 votes, it seems three Zanu-PF MPs voted for the MDC. Our reporter says the outcome was difficult for Zanu-PF legislators to accept. They looked forlorn throughout the announcement of the results, while the MDC loudly celebrated, he says. The 2008 election of Mr Moyo was nullified by the Supreme Court three weeks ago, following a complaint by a Zanu-PF official, who said the vote had been "disorderly". Both Mr Mugabe and MDC leader Mr Tsvangirai have said the unity government is no longer working and called for fresh elections. The MDC had previously insisted that a new constitution must be in place before polls are held, to ensure they are free and fair.
Liberal Party leader After the confidence vote, Mr Harper, 51, said he suspected the forthcoming federal election, the country's fourth in seven years, would "disappoint" most Canadians. He said he and Conservative MPs would remain focused on nurturing Canada's economic recovery. "Our priority will remain to ensure stability and security for Canadians, in what remain extremely challenging global circumstances," he said. Mr Ignatieff, a 63-year old historian, writer and political commentator leading the Liberal Party
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into an election for the first time, hailed the "historic moment", and called for a focus on healthcare, education and retirement support. "We want to form an alternative to the Harper government that respects democracy, that respects our institutions, that respects Canadian citizens," he said. Mr Harper's Conservative Party holds 145 seats in the dissolving parliament, shy of a majority of the 308 seats. Recent polling suggests the Conservatives will enjoy a lead at the start of campaigning, with the Liberal Party in second, the New Democratic (NDP) Party third and the Bloc Quebecois, which campaigns only in Quebec, fourth. The Conservative Party is considered likely to emerge from the May election in power with some polls indicating it could even gain seats. Analysts say Canadian voters have shown little desire for an election, although Mr Harper's minority government had set a record for its tenure. "The political calculations driving this election have nothing to do with making Canada a better place for Canadians," CTV television political analyst Don Martin said ahead of the vote. "The opposition parties see a moment of weakness."
Syria’s president takes steps towards reforms
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, facing a wave of protests demanding greater freedoms, took steps on Thursday toward addressing grievances including lifting emergency law and granting disenfranchised Kurds rights. Assad, who drew international criticism for failing to spell out reforms in his first public comments on Wednesday since unrest swept Syria, also ordered an investigation into protest deaths in the flashpoint city of Deraa and the port of Latakia. Inspired by popular revolts elsewhere in the Arab world, the unrest has presented the gravest challenge to Assad's 11-year rule in Syria, which maintains an anti-Israel alliance with Shi'ite Iran and supports militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas. It was doubtful that Assad's gestures would soon defuse the unprecedented outbreak of public discontent in one of the Middle East's most tightly controlled countries. Online activists have called on protesters to demonstrate across the country on what they have dubbed the "Friday of Martyrs" until their demands for democratization are met. In the past, Assad has set up committees to investigate contentious issues but no announcements were made after the initial formation. Officials have repeatedly said a draft law on allowing political parties and lifting emergency law were on the agenda of Assad's Baath Party, but they never materialized. Repealing emergency law, in force since Assad's Baath Party took power in a coup nearly 50 years ago, has been a central demand of protests in which 61 people have been killed. Critics, diplomats and Syrian officials doubted Assad would abolish the omnipresent law, used to snuff out any opposition, justify arbitrary arrest and give free rein to the security apparatus, without replacing it with similar legislation. The state news agency SANA said on Thursday the panel would study and prepare "legislation including protecting the nation's security and the citizen's dignity and fighting terrorism, paving the way for lifting the emergency law." It said the committee would complete its work by April 25, but did not elaborate. Syrian officials in Assad's inner circle had said last week a decision had been taken to abolish emergency legislation. But Assad, in a speech to parliament on Wednesday, made no reference to rescinding the law, or set a timetable for mooted reforms including legislation on political parties, media freedom and fighting corruption.
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Sarkozy calls for nuclear rules
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LIBYAN WAR COST $550 MILLION SO FAR, LAWMAKER SAYS
The United States has spent $550 million so far on military operations in Libya, but expects costs to stabilize at $40 million per month once U.S. forces are reduced and NATO takes over greater control, the Pentagon said. The Defense Department said about 60 percent of the added costs were for missiles and bombs, with the rest for transporting troops to the region and combat operations. NATO's top operations commander told U.S. senators that the U.S. military operations in Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi is battling rebel forces seeking to oust the Libyan leader, had cost "hundreds of millions of dollars" so far. "It's fair to say that the operation will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Admiral James Stavridis, who is NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and commander of U.S. European Command, said during testimony at the U.S. Senate. Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Commander Kathleen Kesler said it was difficult to estimate future costs, but said the Pentagon expected to spend another $40 million in the coming three weeks as the United States reduces its forces in the region and NATO assumes more responsibility. "Future costs are highly uncertain," although the Pentagon expected ongoing operations in Libya to cost about $40 million per month, if U.S. forces stayed at the lower levels currently planned and the operation continued, she said. The estimates do not include the cost of the F-15 fighter plane that went down over Libya due to mechanical failure, Kesler said. Defense analyst Byron Callan, at Capital Alpha Partners, said the military operations in Libya were not expected to have a material effect on U.S. defense stocks, especially now that aircraft have been positioned at bases in Italy, reducing in-flight refueling needs. Callan said he did not expect the military action in Libya to disrupt Pentagon spending for procurement or research and development, but he also did not see it generating enough replacement orders for equipment to have U.S. defense company earnings. Defense analyst Loren Thompson at the Virginia-based Lexington Institute said the actual amount being spent was much higher, after factoring in the cost of maintaining forces that could be deployed on a moment's notice. "So what looks like an inexpensive military operation in Libya is actually costing taxpayers about $2 billion per day, because that's what the Pentagon and other security agencies of the federal government spend to maintain a posture that allows the military to go anywhere and do anything on short notice," he wrote in a blog on the Forbes.com website.
WORLD NEWS
French President Nicolas the Fukushima Daiichi plant Sarkozy has called for clear after the IAEA found safe international standards on radiation limits had been nuclear safety in light of the exceeded at the village of ongoing crisis at Japan's Iitate, 40km north-west of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear nuclear plant. plant. But Yoshihiro Sugiyama, Speaking in Japan, he a nuclear safety agency proposed that nuclear safety official, said there were no authorities from the G20 plans to increase the size of countries discuss the issue in the zone. May. "At the moment, we do Radiation detected in the not have the understanding sea near the stricken plant has that it is necessary to evacuate again risen steeply. residents there," he said. "We Meanwhile, the UN has think the residents can stay advised Japan to consider calm." expanding the evacuation zone The village mayor was around the reactors. quoted as saying he was "very Mr Sarkozy is the first worried" about the IAEA foreign leader to visit Japan warning. "But the French President Nicolas Sarkozy following the earthquake and government immediately tsunami that hit the country on 11 March. informed us that there is no immediate harm to human The disaster has so far claimed more than 11,000 health, so I was relieved," he added. lives, with at least 16,000 people still reported missing. A government spokesman said authorities would The French president said he wanted to see "continue monitoring the level of radiation with international standards on nuclear energy established heightened vigilance" and "take action if necessary." by the end of the year, and that France would ask G20 Radioactive iodine levels in seawater near the nuclear delegates to lay the groundwork for a special plant reached a new record - 4,385 times the limit. meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency Radioactive material may be leaking from the (IAEA) in June. damaged plant continuously, the country's nuclear and "The problem is more about establishing safety industrial safety agency (Nisa) said. norms than it is about the choice of nuclear energy, for this Workers are continuing to try to stabilise four there is no alternative right now," Mr Sarkozy was quoted reactors by using water to cool fuel rods. They also as saying by Reuters. face the problem of how to deal with highly "We must address this anomaly that there are no radioactive run-off water that has accumulated in a international safety norms for nuclear matters. We want tunnel. international standards because the world is a village and Kyodo reported that the radiation level in a tunnel what happens in Japan can have consequences elsewhere." outside Reactor 2 was more than 10,000 times above The IAEA has nuclear standards, but they are not normal levels. binding. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power France is more dependent on nuclear power than (Tepco), announced on Wednesday that the four any other country, using it to meet about 75% of its stricken reactors would be decommissioned. domestic needs. The US and UK earlier advised their citizens in French nuclear reactor maker Areva has been Japan to keep at least 80km from the plant. offering the Japanese help with containing The US is to send a 140-member radiation control contaminated water. team to assist Japanese authorities, Kyodo News UN nuclear monitors advised Japan to consider agency quoted Japan's military chief, General Ryoichi widening the 20km (12-mile) evacuation zone around Oriki, as saying.
Mexico Attorney General Arturo Chavez resigns
Mexico's Attorney General, Arturo Chavez,has resigned, President Felipe Calderon has confirmed. Mr Chavez had been leading efforts to tackle Mexico's violent drugs cartels and reform the justice system for 18 months. He said he was leaving for urgent personal reasons. Mr Chavez is to be replaced by investigative prosecutor Marisela Morales, who will be Mexico's first female attorney general. President Calderon thanked Mr Chavez for his service, saying he had helped bring many cartel leaders to justice. "His work has been fundamental to Mexico's efforts to establish the rule of law and guarantee security," he said. The appointment of Marisela Morales must still be approved by the senate. President Calderon said her mission would be "to deepen the strategic role of the attorney general's office,
in particular in the fight against organised crime". Earlier this month Ms Morales, 41, was given a bravery award by the US government for her role in the fight against drug trafficking. The resignation of Arturo Chavez comes three weeks after the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks released a US diplomatic cable describing his appointment in 2009 as "totally unexpected and inexplicable". In his previous role as the top prosecutor in Chihuahua state, he was accused of mishandling investigations into the murder of women in Ciudad Juarez on the US border. He is the second attorney general to resign since President Calderon began deploying the army to fight drug-trafficking gangs in 2006. Around 35,000 people have since been killed in drug-related violence.
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rudders and all safety equipment as required by the Maritime Authority. TURKS AND CAICOS SUN APRIL 1ST- APRIL 8TH, 2011 • Ensure that the Captain and Crew is aware of all emergency equipment such as :ire:ighting equipment, life rafts, buoys, lifejackets, and :irst aid kit location on vessel. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala have vacancies for the following positions:
Managerial Position:
ASSISTANT SPA MANAGER We are looking for a highly motivated individual with at least 5yrs previous experience as an Assistant Spa Manager or equivalent. The successful candidate must have knowledge of Asian, Thai, European, Japanese and Indonesian body Therapy. JOB SUMMARY To support the COMO Shambhala Manager in administrative duties as well as overseeing the daily spa operation and team performance. In the absence of COMO Shambhala Manager, the Assistant Manager must successfully manage the entire Spa Department. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Ensure that Top Quality services are provided to our Guests at all times. • You must ensure that all treatments are of the highest quality on a daily basis. • Ensure that all staffs are professional, courteous and attentive to all guest’s needs. • Take service recovery action should there be a glitch or guest complaint. • Ensure staf:ing level is suf:icient and appropriate to promote smooth :low of daily operation. • Assist with the Preparation of all Spa Budgets and provide strong :inancial Advice and implement cost effective measures for the effective running of the Spa. • Ensure the spa areas and facilities are properly maintained and well organized in order to provide an optimal environment to guests and staff. • Assist CS Manager in coordinating and hosting of all International Yoga Retreats, Weddings and any other related events. • Ensure visiting Consultants or Yoga Instructors for the Retreats are well looked after and properly assisted. • Promote retreats and spa events to bring in more revenue. • Identify training needs within department and propose to CS Manager. • Assist CS Manager in departmental trainings by conducting or supervising the trainings. • Identify retail products and operational supplies that are low in stock and propose to CS Manager to reorder. Quali@ication and Experience: • At least a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Hospitality Management. • Minimum of 5yrs Five Star Resort experience as an Asst. Spa Manager. • Excellent problem solving, communication, administration and interpersonal skills. • Must have sound knowledge about full body Therapy, wellness and :itness. • Candidate will be required to work long hours and must reside on Parrot Cay for the ef:icient discharge of his/her duties.
BOAT ENGINEER:
The successful candidate must understand the objectives of the Company and must maintain the highest level of customer services. The candidate must share his Mechanical knowledge with all on board staff. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Ensure that the maintenance and cleaning activities of the vessel is done on a daily basis. • Ensure that all safety procedures of the vessel are adhered to regarding guests, employees, and equipment. • Must conduct monthly safety drills as required by the International Shipping Codes such as Man overboard, Fire on board and abandon ship. • Must repair all electrical equipment including navigation lights and equipment. Repair gearbox, steering equipment, propellers, shafts
• Candidate must have at least 5yrs experience working as a Ship Engineer. o Must have a STCW Certi:icate in basic safety training. o Must have a 5th Grade Technical Engineer Certi:icate o Must reside on Parrot Cay and be willing to work weekends and Public Holidays for the ef:icient discharge of his/her duties.
BOAT MECHANIC
The successful candidate must be a highly motivated individual with the ability to work :lexible working hours including Weekends and Public Holidays. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Responsible for the quarterly maintenance of all boat engines. • Must conduct repairs to all electrical, navigation, main engines, gearbox etc. • Must be able to diagnose mechanical, fuel and electrical problems and to conduct repairs quickly. • Must be able to disassemble engine and replaced parts when necessary. • Ensure that all regular boat repairs are done to the highest standard. • Making sure that the boat is prepared prior to boarding time. • Must conduct repairs on all outboard engines as the need arise. • Perform any other duties as outlined by your Department Head. Quali@ications and Experience: • At least 5yrs experience as a boat Mechanic. • Must have an Outboard Mechanic Certi:icate. • Candidate must have excellent communications skills with the ability to follow instructions and work independently without supervision. • Must have excellent problem solving ability with strong knowledge of boating equipment and Engines operation.
LINE POSITIONS:
Telephone Operator Spa Therapist Landscaping Supervisor Resort Butlers Yoga Teacher Water Sports Instructor Pilate Instructor Chef de Partie A/C Technician Recreation Attendant Line Chef Spa Therapist Demi Chef F & B Server Commis Chef Sous Chef Private Residence Attendant Carpenters Spa Attendant Electrician Night Room Service Supervisor Salaries for these positions will be paid base on quali:ication and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certi:icates. Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Forward your resume to the Human Resources Department at the following address: Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala P.O. Box 164 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: joel.richards@parrotcay.como.bz or melissa.durham@parrotcay.como.bz
Google takes on Facebook with latest social tweak
APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
Google Inc will begin allowing users to personally endorse search results and Web pages, its latest attempt to stave off rival Facebook Inc while trying to jump onboard a social networking boom. The so-called "+1" button will start to appear alongside Google search results for select users from Wednesday, letting people recommend specific search results to friends and contacts by clicking on that button. Eventually, the feature may begin to influence the ranking of search results, though that is only under consideration. Results are now ranked via a closely guarded algorithm. The world's leader in Internet search is battling to maintain its share of Web surfers' time and attention, which is increasingly getting taken up by Facebook, Twitter and other social
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networks. But it has struggled to find its footing in the nascent market. Its last attempt to create a social network -- Buzz -- has not fared well. A flood of complaints about how Buzz handled user privacy cast a pall over the product. On Wednesday, Google announced it had reached a settlement with regulators under which it agreed to independent privacy audits every two years. With the new +1 buttons, Google aims to counter one of Facebook's most popular features. The new feature comes nearly a year after Facebook began offering special "Like" buttons to websites, creating a personalized recommendation system that some analysts believe could challenge the traditional ranking algorithms that search engines use to find online information. Maintaining its role as the main
EGYPT PANEL SEEKS TO RECOVER MUBARAK ASSETS ABROAD
A committee set up by Egypt's military rulers will travel to Europe aiming to recover frozen assets belonging to deposed President Hosni Mubarak and other leading officials, the state news agency said. European Union governments agreed on March 21 to freeze the assets of Mubarak and 18 associates. Switzerland, one of the countries the Egyptian delegation will visit, froze assets that could belong to Mubarak on February 11, the day he stepped down. President Hosni Essam el-Gawahri, a senior Deposed Egyptian Mubarak justice ministry official heading the committee, said it would "make every effort to restore those assets to the country according to the U.N. Convention against Corruption," the state news agency MENA reported. The mission will begin in the next few days. Activists who mobilized to topple Mubarak have been demanding more aggressive measures to recover his assets, which Egyptians widely believe run into billions of dollars. The panel will also take steps to uncover secret overseas bank accounts held by Mubarak and senior aides, Gawahri said. Gawahri, head of an official body in charge of uncovering illgotten gains, said he had also banned three senior officials from leaving Egypt after investigations showed they had amassed large amounts of wealth. The decision applies to Fathi Sorour, the former speaker of the lower house of parliament, Safwat el-Sherif, a senior member of the ruling party and head of the upper house of parliament, and Zakaria Azmi, one of Mubarak's senior aides. It also applies to their wives, the state news agency reported. Egypt's public prosecutor had ordered auditing and supervisory authorities to investigate claims made against the three former politicians.
gateway to information on the Internet is key for Google, which generated roughly $29 billion in revenue last year -- primarily from search ads. While Google remains the Internet search and advertising leader, Facebook is taking a larger and larger portion of advertising dollars. Google said that +1 recommendations will also appear in the paid ads that Google displays alongside its search results. In its internal tests, Google found that including the recommendations boosted the rates at which people click on the ads, executives told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. Eventually, Google plans to let third-party websites feature +1 buttons directly on their own pages, the company said. Google's Matt Cutts, a principal
engineer for search, said the +1 buttons were part of the evolution of Google's own social search efforts, rather than a direct response to Facebook's Like buttons. "We always keep an eye out on what other people are doing, but for me the compelling value is just that it's right there in the search results," said Cutts. Google introduced social search in 2009, and in February the company began displaying special snippets underneath any search results that have been shared by a person's contacts on Twitter, the popular Internet microblogging service. Currently Google is not using +1 recommendations as a factor in how it ranks search results -- a user only sees that a friend recommended a search result if the result would have turned up in a search based on Google's existing ranking criteria.
AT&T Chief disputes higher prices after T-Mobile deal
AT&T Inc Chief Executive Randall Stephenson disputed the commonly held belief that consumer bills would rise if there were fewer competitors in the U.S. wireless market. AT&T's defense comes as it girds for a tough regulatory review of its $39 billion deal to snap up Deutsche Telekom AG's TMobile USA, the No. 4 U.S. mobile operator known for its lower prices. The deal would create a new industry leader. The combined company and Verizon Wireless, the current largest U.S. provider, would hold nearly 80 percent of the market. Stephenson, who spoke to a New York event sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, referred to a government report that showed prices on average fell 50 percent over the last decade despite five wireless mergers over the period. Concerns over surrendering too much control to few players prompted New York Attorney General to conduct a thorough review of the deal. Asked in an interview with Reuters global editor-at-large Chrystia Freeland about the need for price restrictions as a condition to garner regulatory approval, Stephenson said, "I'm not sure of the relevance of it. The U.S. market "is the most highly competitive in the world." Stephenson said AT&T consumers once paid around $1.90 per megabyte of wireless data and now pay around 16 cents. The benefits of the merger would be nearly immediate, he said. In New York, where users of the Apple iPhone have complained about dropped calls and slow wireless data speeds in certain areas, capacity would rise by 30 percent. AT&T expects the acquisition to raise
its infrastructure spending by $8 billion over a seven year period. Among other benefits of the deal, Stephenson said AT&T also planned to work with Deutsche Telekom on lowering roaming charge costs, which cellphone users are required to pay when using their phones outside of the subscriber's market.
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Microsoft files European antitrust complaint against Google
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft Corp. said it was filing a formal antitrust complaint in Europe against Google Inc., alleging the Internet giant is squelching competition by limiting access to some of its data from YouTube and other services. The complaint will be filed as part of the European Commission's ongoing antitrust investigation, launched in November, into whether Google has abused its dominance in Internet search there at the expense of rivals. Microsoft said it was the first time it had ever filed an antitrust complaint against a rival, another salvo in a bitter,
long-running battle between the two technology titans. "Google has done much to advance its laudable mission to 'organize the world’s information,' but we’re concerned by a broadening pattern of conduct aimed at stopping anyone else from creating a competitive alternative," Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith wrote in a blog post. "We’ve therefore decided to join a large and growing number of companies registering their concerns about the European search market." He said European regulators have found that Google has about 95% of
WARREN BUFFET CHIEF LIEUTENANT QUITS
David Sokol
So much for Warren Buffett's philosophy of leaving his managers alone. A key Buffett lieutenant resigned this week, and said he bought shares in a company he later pitched to his boss. While Buffett said his employee, David Sokol, did nothing unlawful, governance experts said the entire episode was a black mark for a company that has long prided itself on its rectitude. "It's the kind of behavior that, as a matter of corporate governance, sophisticated companies try to avoid," said John Coffee, a law professor at Columbia University. Experts said that part of the problem may be that Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, prides itself on having few of the internal controls that other major companies have, and instead banks on the honor of its senior employees. "The key is the people. That's been his playbook ever since he's started. He knows the rules, and he expects the people he works with to know them too," said Michael Holland, chairman of Holland & Co, which oversees $4 billion in assets and owns Berkshire shares. Changing the way he runs his business would sting for Buffett, who bets everything on his reputation -something he made crystal clear in a July 2010 memo to his managers that he released this past February. "We can't be perfect but we can try to be. As I've said in these memos for more than 25 years: 'We can afford to
Warren Buffett
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the search market there and has taken advantage of that dominance "to the detriment of European consumers." Google has restricted the ability of Microsoft's Bing and other rival search engines to gather data from YouTube needed to properly display search results, Smith said. Google also has blocked smartphones running Microsoft's Windows software from operating properly with YouTube -problems that iPhones and phones with Google's Android software do not have, he said. "Microsoft is ready to release a high-quality YouTube app for
lose money -- even a lot of money. But we can't afford to lose reputation -- even a shred of reputation.'" He added: "We must continue to measure every act against not only what is legal but also what we would be happy to have written about on the front page of a national newspaper in an article written by an unfriendly but intelligent reporter." Buffett likes to brag about the way he runs companies -- by not running them, leaving them instead in the care of what he considers capable executives who do not need his oversight. "There are managers to whom I have not talked in the last year, while there is one with whom I talk almost daily. Our trust is in people rather than process. A 'hire well, manage little' code suits both them and me," Buffett said in his annual shareholder letter in February. Ultimately, by his own admission Buffett is not an operational leader, but a sort of inspirational one. He contents himself to let others run the businesses. Investors say in this case, he may have picked the wrong person to help him lead. "If I had any knock against Buffett, is how much he espoused his successor, how this was the right guy, how much he rallied the flag around him as his successor ... and now this guy is gone," said Matt McCormick, portfolio manager at Cincinnati-based Bahl Gaynor Investment Counsel.
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Windows Phone," Smith said. "We just need permission to access YouTube in the way that other phones already do, permission Google has refused to provide." Smith cited four other examples of what he said was Google abusing its European search dominance, including limiting the ability of advertisers to access the data they give to Google so that they can also serve ads through competitors. Google issued the following statement in response to the complaint: “We're not surprised that Microsoft has done this, since one of their subsidiaries was one of the original complainants. For our part, we continue to discuss the case with the European Commission and we're happy to explain to anyone how our business works."
EU and US likely to appeal WTO ruling
The European Union plans to appeal as soon as Friday a ruling by the World Trade Organization that Boeing Co. received billions of dollars in illegal subsidies from U.S. federal and state governments, EU officials said. The EU is appealing even though it claimed victory in its case against Boeing. The quick response is partly a tactical move to force the U.S. to prepare a hastier response than it might otherwise, said people familiar with the EU's thinking. The skirmish is the latest twist in a seven-year dispute that has become the most complex and expensive proceeding in the WTO's history. The trade body on Thursday published the final, public ruling in a case the EU filed in 2005 against the U.S. A confidential version was released to both sides in February. In its ruling, the WTO found that Boeing received up to $6 billion in subsidies from the federal and state governments through 2006. The WTO report "clearly shows that Boeing has received huge subsidies in the past and continues to receive significant subsidies today," said EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht in a statement. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told a news conference that the WTO had "rejected most of the arguments advanced by the EU" and had "vindicated" longstanding U.S. contentions that Airbus received far more in subsidies than Boeing. The EU, in its 2005 filing, claimed Boeing received more than $23 billion in subsidies. Mr. Kirk said that only $2.7 billion of the amount cited by the WTO must be withdrawn. He said the U.S. still disagrees with this finding and is studying whether to appeal the ruling. In July, the WTO released a similar but separate public report on a case brought in 2004 by the U.S. against EU countries for their support to Airbus parent European Aeronautics Defence & Space Co. In that case, which is now under appeal from both sides, a WTO panel found that billions of dollars in preferential government loans that Airbus used to develop six models of passenger jet constituted prohibited export subsidies. The panel also found that EADS received several billion dollars more in other forms of forbidden financial assistance from European governments. Although the two reports are now public, a direct comparison of subsidies remains difficult. In ruling on the U.S. case against Airbus, the WTO did not precisely quantify all the subsidies it said EU governments provided. Thursday's publication gives more specific figures on European support to Airbus. Boeing Chairman and CEO James McNerney Jr., appearing at a trade conference in Washington, said he was pleased with the WTO's ruling, and said such decisions would help U.S. firms and government officials when pressing emerging economies to abide by international rules. Boeing and the USTR say European governments must withdraw more than $20 billion in aid to Airbus. Airbus and EU officials say the total is far smaller. Both sides say the dispute is likely to continue for months or years. The EU's expected quick appeal to Thursday's ruling is being done in part because the EU case is running nine months behind the U.S. case. European officials have said the delay puts Airbus at a potential disadvantage, as it could be forced to take remedial action almost a year before Boeing. The new WTO report slammed $2.7 billion in funding Boeing received from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Department of Defense. It also said Boeing could receive up to $4 billion more over coming years in tax breaks from the state of Washington. "Boeing can no longer hide they received massive illegal subsidies that have severely harmed Airbus," said Airbus spokeswoman Maggie Bergsma. Boeing general counsel J. Michael Luttig said in a statement that the ruling "rejects 80 percent of the EU's claims against the U.S."
Sailrock U11 Boys in league in high gear
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The Sailrock Under 11 Boys league completed its second week of games with all four teams securing a win. Five Cays FC beat Leeward Knights 4-1 with Timothy Gill scoring all four goals. Blue Hill Sharks then claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Long Bay Revolution. Aguille Mohammed and Michael Smikle scored for the Sharks and
Kennley George replied for Long Bay. However, the Revolution bounced back with a 1-0 win against Five Cays courtesy of Neri Williams. In the final game of the day Leeward Knights picked up their first points of the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Blue Hill Sharks with Shadown Saintjour and Wenly Acilien getting the goals. The league continues to give the young academy players a chance to showcase their talents in a competitive environment and coaches Karl Shand and Peter McKnight are pleased with the progress, attitude and ability of the young players. Games are played every Saturday morning at 9.30am.
TCI Cricket Squad chosen
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The Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association has selected a squad of fourteen players to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands in the International Cricket Council Americas Division two tournament slated to take place between April 9 and 15 in Suriname. Six teams will take part in this Tournament, they are Brazil, Belize, Bahamas, Panama, Suriname and Turks & Caicos Islands.
The players:
1. Rohan Ash (Captain) 2. Terrence Thomas (Vice Captain) 3. Garvin Bruno 4. Robert Johnson 5. Nuwan Bodhinyake 6. Marcus Charlemagne
7. Gareth Butler 8. Damian St. Ange 9. Sabuton John 10. Jeremy Jones 11. Howard Dickenson 12. Henry Saunders 13. Douglas Brown 14. Calvin Chase
The team will be coached by Ralph Doughty and managed by Michael Pereira
PHOTO FOCUS
Women’s Soccer League: Warriors vs Predators
2012 Olympics security firm launches probe after guards arrested
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The security firm protecting London's Olympic Park ordered an internal investigation and began disciplinary procedures on Thursday after two guards were arrested on suspicion of possessing explosives. The probe followed the arrest of a 40-year-old woman, also charged with suspected possession of drugs, near the Olympic complex on Tuesday and a 43-year-old man at his home in Wales a day later. Police said in a statement that the woman, a dog handler for private
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security firm G4S whose car was stopped and searched, had been bailed to return to an east London police station in late April. The man was being held at an east London police station but police said the arrests were "not terrorist related." Media reports said the explosives were believed to be Semtex. G4S, who have signed a contract worth at least 100 million pounds ($161 million) as the Games' official security services provider, said in a statement they were assisting police
with enquiries. "G4S take breach of operational processes very seriously," said the company, which is listed in the FTSE 100. It has said it will recruit, train and manage the 10,000 guards needed for the Games. "An internal investigation has been launched and disciplinary procedures instigated, which has resulted in the suspension of one officer, pending the outcome of a police investigation. "An investigation has also been
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launched into the alleged conduct of a second officer." The security firm said its dog handling team were licensed to hold small samples of explosives and controlled substances for training purposes but were required to follow "strict operational processes." "All dog handlers are fully vetted and operate to the highest industry standards," it added. The Olympic Delivery Authority responsible for building the facilities said there had been no change in the level of security at the Park after the arrests. "Robust measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of the Olympic Park including person and vehicle screening," a spokesman said.
CAVALIERS NEGATE JAMES’ TRIPLE-DOUBLE TO UPSET HEAT
CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James's triple double was not enough to help the Miami Heat overcome the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the playoff bound Heat 102-90 on Tuesday. James, who left Cleveland last season to join Miami as a free agent and was roundly booed by the crowd again -- he first returned home last December -- ended with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. The Cavaliers, who won 61 games last season but have struggled without James to a NBA worst 15-58 record so far this season, built a 23-point lead on Tuesday and held on to avenge two previous blowout defeats to the Heat this season. "The atmosphere is always good here and the fans are unbelievable. I've always said that,"
James told reporters despite being relentlessly booed by the crowd. "It's great for their team tonight. Its disappointing (for us) because we took a step backward." Miami clawed back to tie the game at 83-83 with 7:01 to go, but Cleveland went on a 12-0 run to earn their surprising victory. J.J. Hickson recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds and Anthony Parker added 20 points for the Cavaliers. "All I want to say is you (fans) deserve this," Parker said. "You guys deserve it because you've been so great for us all year." Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Mike Bibby added 23 for the Heat (51-23) who fell half a game behind the Boston Celtics for second in the Eastern Conference.
Barry Bonds' fellow star Giambi details steroid use
Cleveland Cavaliers fans yell at Miami Heat's LeBron James (L) during the fourth quarter of their NBA game
Baseball star Jason Giambi, testifying at home run king Barry Bonds' perjury trial, said on Tuesday that he used illegal anabolic steroids obtained from Bonds' personal trainer. Giambi, a hulking slugger who was the American League Most Valuable Player in 2000, described how he started using the steroids after meeting trainer Greg Anderson at an all-star baseball game in Japan. "I was picking Greg's brain as to what kind of training Barry was doing, was he lifting weights, what was he doing in the gym," Giambi said. "Barry was a great athlete. I just wanted to continue my career so I wanted to get information from him." He said that Anderson subsequently sent him packages containing steroids he called "the clear and the cream," explaining that the cream was testosterone, and the clear was epitestosterone. The package included a syringe with injectable steroids, which Giambi said he used. Giambi said Anderson told him Major League Baseball tests were designed to detect the ratio of these two hormones and by raising the levels of both, he could increase their
Barry Bonds and his legal entourage enter the federal court building in San Francisco for his perjury trial
testosterone level without testing positive for illegal steroids. Bonds has pleaded not guilty to charges he lied to a grand jury about whether he knowingly used the same substances. His case is the latest in a years-long U.S. investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports. The charges stem from his 2003 appearance before a U.S. grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO, whose head
has pleaded guilty to dispensing steroids to professional athletes. A report in 2004 that Giambi had admitted steroid use in the BALCO investigation helped spark a controversy about performanceenhancing drugs in baseball and led to a probe into the sport by George Mitchell. The eventual Mitchell Report found over 100 players had used such drugs, though their names were not disclosed.
Giambi was the MVP while with the Oakland Athletics and later was a star for the New York Yankees. He was named to the league all-star team five times. Dressed in a blue suit and striped tie, the bearded Giambi said he used the drugs for a few months before abandoning them. Earlier on Tuesday, the head trainer of Bonds's team, the San Francisco Giants, testified that Bonds put on muscle mass, sprouted acne and refused to be weighed by the team. Trainer Stan Conte estimated that Bonds gained 10 or 15 pounds of lean muscle mass around 1999 or 2000. Prosecutors allege that weight gain and the acne were caused by Bonds' steroid use. Bonds had told the BALCO grand jury he did not knowingly use steroids or growth hormones and said he never questioned the flaxseed oil, vitamins, protein shakes and creams Anderson supplied him. In 2001, he hit 73 home runs, a single-season record that still stands. In 2007, his last season in the league, he broke Hank Aaron's 33-year-old record of 755 career home runs.
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Man Utd boss Ferguson foresees FA Cup semi-final 'chaos' APRIL 1ST - APRIL 8TH, 2011
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted "absolute chaos" during FA Cup semi-final weekend. All four competing teams will travel to Wembley from the north west of England while Liverpool fans will be heading to Arsenal on Sunday for a league clash. "It's going to be absolute chaos but there's nothing that can be done about it," said Ferguson. "Think of the amount of people driving down. You've got Villa Park and Anfield on your doorstep." United face local rivals Manchester City at 1715 BST on Saturday 16 April and a day later Bolton play Stoke in a 1600 BST kick-off. Liverpool's match at the Emirates Stadium also begins at 1600 BST - and takes place on the same day as the London Marathon. "There will be 60,000 people coming down from Manchester - think about how much petrol is used for that?" added Ferguson.
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travelling down to Wembley is considered." A Football Association spokesman told the BBC: "We look forward to welcoming the four teams to Wembley next month, where 180,000 fans will enjoy a fantastic football spectacle in the two games." Semi-finals have been played at the new Wembley since 2008 and are scheduled to continue to be take place at the venue as the FA attempts to recoup the costs of building the stadium. However, it is understood that the FA may review the current situation during a consultation of the FA Cup Staying calm: Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his competition. Manchester United players not to allow Meanwhile, United will take on refereeing decisions to affect their quest for silverware Spanish champions Barcelona in a friendly as part of their pre-season tour "Stoke fans, Bolton fans, City fans, of the United States. The sides, who last faced each United fans - and on the same weekend Liverpool fans are travelling down. And other in the 2009 Champions League you've also got people coming down to final, will meet on 30 July at the 91,704-capacity FedExField in see the London Marathon. "I don't think the cost of people Washington.
Yankees are very expensive underdogs this season
The New York Yankees are $200 million underdogs in the eyes of handicappers picking the Boston Red Sox to be World Series champions this season, and that has lit a fire under some of the Bronx Bombers. "Maybe we can sneak up on somebody," pitcher CC Sabathia told reporters at his locker Wednesday on the eve of his start in New York's Opening Day game against the Detroit Tigers. "I find it kind of crazy what I hear, after what we've done," said the big left-hander, who helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series and reach last year's American League championship. Boston went on a stunning off-season shopping spree that made them a popular pick to leapfrog the Yankees. They snapped up speedy free agent outfielder Carl Crawford for seven years at $142 million, then traded prospects to San Diego for slugger Adrian Gonzalez, who will also command over $20 million a year for a pact they still are negotiating. The usually free-spending Yankees were quiet as mice by comparison but could be laying in ambush. Said outfielder Nick Swisher: "I think that's the greatest thing ever, so when we do it we can prove them all wrong." Power-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira, who spurned the Red Sox to sign an eight-year $180 million Yankees deal before the 2009 campaign, said this spring: "We're the underdogs this year. I love it. No one is picking us right now." Manager Joe Girardi knows the pressure of leading a team with an MLB record 27 World Series crowns and was bemused about the rallying cry against the Red Sox, whose $160 million budget will grow much closer to New York's after signing Gonzalez. "This is a motivated group on a daily basis anyway," Girardi said. "I haven't really heard any talk from our guys about not being favored to win, or being the underdogs. "(But) That's not a bad thing," he said about being snubbed by prognosticators. "Maybe you don't have as much attention drawn to your club during spring training. Maybe guys don't feel the weight of the expectations so much. Sometimes when you're the underdog you go under the radar a little bit." Yet Girardi, a catcher on Yankee teams that began a run of success with a World Series title in 1996 and four more crowns and two other trips to the Fall Classic since, acknowledged his pinstriped squad would not go overlooked. "I don't think we're going to sneak up on anyone," he said. "People are always pretty excited when we come into town."
Barcelona are likely to provide Ferguson's team with their strongest test in the five-match tour. United will also play against three MLS club sides and an all-star select XI. The Old Trafford club will take on New England Revolution in Boston on 13 July and Seattle Sounders on 20 July in Seattle before facing Chicago Fire on 23 July. The Red Devils will then meet MLS All Stars on 27 July at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. The meeting with Barcelona at FedExField, which is home to the Washington Redskins NFL team, will round off the tour and is sure to evoke memories of recent battles in European competition. The Catalan side were 2-0 victors over United in the 2009 Champions League final, but a Paul Scholes goal at Old Trafford saw the Red Devils prevail in their semi-final clash the previous season , with Sir Alex Ferguson's men going on to lift the trophy in Moscow.
HALL OF FAME TRAINER GIL CLANCY DIES AT 88
Gil Clancy, a Hall of Fame trainer and manager who worked with many top fighters including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman, died on Thursday at age 88. The International Boxing Hall of Fame did not give a cause of death but said its flag will fly at half-staff in memory of Clancy, who was elected into the Hall in 1993. While Clancy worked with some of the sport's best fighters, he was best known for his long association with another Hall of Famer, Emile Griffith, whom Clancy and Howie Albert guided to the welterweight and middleweight titles. "Gil Clancy was one of boxing's truly great minds," Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy said in a statement. "As a trainer and manager he was held in the highest regard by his peers."
Fish becomes top-ranked US player with win at Sony Open Mardy Fish replaced Andy Roddick as the top-ranked American after beating Spain's David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 on Wednesday to move into the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open. Fish, currently ranked 15th, will formally overtake his friend and world number eight Roddick when the ATP world rankings are updated next week. Roddick, struggling with a bronchial infection, made a shock early exit in the defense of his Miami title in his first game, losing to Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Saturday. "I don't think I will ever feel I am the top-ranked American, Andy has had a pretty good career and he has always been top dog in my generation," Fish said of his former high school team mate. "I've never been in this position before. Obviously it's very humbling. This is a pretty big country and has a lot of people playing tennis. So I'll try to put it
into perspective, and I Will." Fish said his goal has nothing to do with bettering Roddick and is purely personal. "Top ten is something that I am aiming for and I will be working my butt off to get there," he said. Fish had a surprisingly easy passage to the last four, with the normally solid Ferrer fading fast in the second set in the Florida heat. The Spaniard lost the first set after double faulting on break point to allow Fish to go ahead 6-5. After the game, Ferrer said he had not felt well. "I had stomach problems all the match. "I went to the court, and I when I ran to rallies I had a lot of pain in my stomach. In the second set, I couldn't run anymore," he told reporters. Fish will face the winner of Wednesday's other quarter-final between Novak Djokovic, unbeaten in 21 successive games this year, and South African Kevin Anderson.
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